4-oxy-n-[1,3,4]-thiadiazol-2-yl-benzene sulfonamides, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for their therapeutic use

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises 4-Oxy-N-[1,3,4]-thiadiazol-2-yl-benzene sulfonamides, the derivatives thereof and salts thereof as well as processes for their preparation and methods for their use as pharmaceutical compositions. More specifically, the invention relates to 4-oxy-N-[1,3,4]-thiadiazol-2-yl-benzene sulfonamides and to their physiologically acceptable salts and physiologically functional derivatives that exhibit peroxisome proliferator activator receptor (PPAR) PPARalpha, PPARdelta and PPARgamma agonist activity. The compounds themselves are defined by the structure of the formula I, 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein the various unnamed substituents are defined herein. The compounds are suitable for the treatment of disorders of fatty acid metabolism and glucose utilization disorders as well as of disorders in which insulin resistance is involved as well as demyelinating and other neurodegenerative disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2006/009297 filed on Sep. 26, 2006 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety which also claims the benefit of priority of European Patent Application No. 05021786.0 filed on Oct. 6, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of metabolic disorders and the diseases and physiological problems resulting there from. More specifically, the present invention relates to compounds which are able to therapeutically modulate lipid and/or carbohydrate metabolism in mammals and are thus suitable for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases such as type-2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disorders and the like. The inventive compounds of the present invention are also useful in the treatment of the demyelinating and other neurodegenerative disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) agonists are well known and have been described in the prior art, (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,995 to De La Brouse-Elwood et. al.; WO 03/043997 to Johnston et. al. and WO 01/00603 and WO 02/092590 to Keil et. al.) Benzenesulfonamino compounds which bind to PPARs are described in WO 2005/005421. Sulfonamide compounds comprising showing hypoglycemic activity are disclosed in Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal (1987), 21(8), 965-8. From WO 97/40017 compounds having a phenyl group linked to heterocyclic ring compounds are known as modulators of molecules with phosphotyrosine recognition units.

The present invention comprises pharmaceutical compounds and compositions that therapeutically modulate lipid and/or carbohydrate metabolism and are thus suitable for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases such as type-2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and the physiological manifestations thereof. These compounds are also therapeutically effective in the treatment of demyelinating and other neurodegenerative disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems. More specifically, the compounds of the present invention modulate the activity of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPAR). The compounds are suitable in particular for activating PPARdelta or PPARdelta and PPARgamma receptors, however, the relative activation of each respective compound varies depending on the specific compound administered.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) are transcription factors which can be activated by ligands and belong to the class of nuclear hormone receptors. There are three PPAR isoforms, PPARalpha, PPARgamma and PPARdelta (identical to PPARbeta), which are encoded by different genes (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR): structure, mechanisms of activation and diverse functions: Motojima K., Cell Struct Funct., 1993, 18(5), 267-77).

In humans, PPARgamma exists in three variants, PPARgamma₁, gamma₂, and gamma₃, which are the result of alternative use of promoters and differential mRNA splicing. Different PPARs have different tissue distribution and modulate different physiological functions. The PPARs play a key role in various aspects of the regulation of a large number of genes, the products of which genes are directly or indirectly crucially involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Thus, for example, the PPARalpha receptor plays an important part in the regulation of fatty acid catabolism or lipoprotein metabolism in the liver, while PPARgamma is crucially involved for example in regulating adipose cell differentiation. In addition, however, PPARs are also involved in the regulation of many other physiological processes, including those which are not directly connected with carbohydrate or lipid metabolism. The activity of different PPARs can be modulated by various fatty acids, fatty acid derivatives and synthetic compounds to varying extents. For relevant reviews about functions, physiological effects and pathophysiology, see: Berger, J. et al., Annu. Rev. Med., 2002, 53, 409-435; Wilson, T. et al., J. Med. Chem., 2000, 43 (4), 527-550; Kliewer, S. et al., Recent Prog Horm Res., 2001, 56, 239-63; Moller, D. E. and Berger, J. P., Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord., 2003, 27 Suppl 3, 17-21; Ram, V. J., Drugs Today, 2003, 39(8), 609-32).

Among the three PPAR-isoforms the physiological functions of PPARdelta have long remained an enigma. The first proposed pharmacological role for PPARdelta has been the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis. It was shown that the somewhat selective PPARdelta ligand L-165041 raises plasma cholesterol in a diabetic animal model (Berger J. et al., J. Biol. Chem., 1999, 274, 6718-6725; Leibowitz M. D. et al., FEBS Lett., 2000, 473(3), 333-336). In obese, insulin resistant rhesus monkeys, the potent and selective PPARdelta ligand GW501516 raises HDL-cholesterol, decreases plasma LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin levels (Oliver, W. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 2001, 98, 5306-5311). The dual PPARdelta/PPARalpha agonist YM-16638 significantly lowers plasma lipids in rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys (Goto, S. et al., Br. J. Pharm., 1996, 118, 174-178) and acts in a similar manner in two weeks clinical trials in healthy volunteers (Shimokawa, T. et al., Drug Dev. Res., 1996, 38, 86-92). More recent publications underline that PPARdelta is an important target for the treatment of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and syndrome X (Wang, Y-X. et al., Cell, 2003, 113, 159-170; Luquet, S. et al., FASEB J., 2003, 17, 209-226; Tanaka, T. et al., PNAS, 2003, 100, 15924-15929; Holst, D. et al., BioChem. Biophys. Acta, 2003, 1633, 43-50; Dressel, U. et al., Mol. Endocrin., 2003, 17, 2477-2493; Lee, C. H. et al., Science, 2003, 302, 453-457).

Besides its actions as a regulator of the lipid-, glucose- and cholesterol-metabolism PPARdelta is known to play a role in embryonic development, implantation and bone formation (Lim, H. and Dey, S. K., Trends Endocrinol Metab., 2000, 11(4), 137-42; Ding, N. Z. et al., Mol Reprod Dev., 2003, 66(3), 218-24; Mano, H. et al., J Biol. Chem., 2000, 275(11), 8126-32).

Numerous publications demonstrate that PPARdelta is triggering proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes which points to its role in skin disorders and wound healing (Di-Poi, N. et al., J Steroid Biochem Mol. Biol., 2003, 85(2-5), 257-65; Tan, N. S. et al., Am J Clin Dermatol., 2003, 4(8), 523-30; Wahli, W., Swiss Med. Wkly., 2002, 132(7-8), 83-91).

PPARdelta appears to be significantly expressed in the CNS; however much of its function there still remains undiscovered. Of singular interest however, is the discovery that PPARdelta was expressed in rodent oligodendrocytes, the major lipid producing cells of the CNS (J. Granneman, et al., J. Neurosci. Res., 1998, 51, 563-573). Moreover, it was also found that a PPARdelta selective agonist was found to significantly increase oligodendro-glial myelin gene expression and myelin sheath diameter in mouse cultures (I. Saluja et al., Glia, 2001, 33, 194-204). Thus, PPARdelta activators may be of use for the treatment of demyelinating and dysmyelinating diseases. The use of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta agonists for the treatment of MS and other demyelinating diseases can be shown as described in WO2005/097098.

Demyelinating conditions are manifested in loss of myelin—the multiple dense layers of lipids and protein which cover many nerve fibers. These layers are provided by oligodendroglia in the central nervous system (CNS), and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). In patients with demyelinating conditions, demyelination may be irreversible; it is usually accompanied or followed by axonal degeneration, and often by cellular degeneration. Demyelination can occur as a result of neuronal damage or damage to the myelin itself—whether due to aberrant immune responses, local injury, ischemia, metabolic disorders, toxic agents, or viral infections (Prineas and McDonald, Demyelinating Diseases. In Greenfield's Neuropathology, 6.sup.th ed. (Edward Arnold: New York, 1997) 813-811, Beers and Berkow, eds., The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 17.sup.th ed. (Whitehouse Station, N.J.: Merck Research Laboratories, 1999) 1299, 1437, 1473-76, 1483).

Central demyelination (demyelination of the CNS) occurs in several conditions, often of uncertain etiology, that have come to be known as the primary demyelinating diseases. Of these, multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most prevalent. Other primary demyelinating diseases include adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), adrenomyeloneuropathy, AIDS-vacuolar myelopathy, HTLV-associated myelopathy, Leber's hereditary optic atrophy, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, Guillian-Barre syndrome and tropical spastic paraparesis. In addition, there are acute conditions in which demyelination can occur in the CNS, e.g., acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and acute viral encephalitis. Furthermore, acute transverse myelitis, a syndrome in which an acute spinal cord transaction of unknown cause affects both gray and white matter in one or more adjacent thoracic segments, can also result in demyelination. Also, disorders in which myelin forming glial cells are damaged including spinal cord injuries, neuropathies and nerve injury.

Benzenesulfonamino compounds which bind to PPARs are described in WO 2005/005421. From WO 97/40017 compounds having a phenyl group linked to heterocycles are known as modulators of molecules with phosphotyrosine recognition units. Arylcarbonyl derivatives which are activators of glucokinase are described in WO 2004/002481.

The present invention is based on the discovery of a group of novel compounds which are effectively modulate lipid and/or carbohydrate metabolism and are thus suitable in the treatment of diseases such as type-2 diabetes and atherosclerosis and the physical manifestations thereof as well as the treatment of demyelinating and other neurodegenerative disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems. More specifically, these compounds are effective in this way through the modulation of the activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) receptors, in particular for activating PPARalpha, PPARdelta and PPARgamma receptors. One must bear in mind however, that it is possible that the relative activation varies depending on the specific compounds administered.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) are transcription factors which can be activated by ligands and belong to the class of nuclear hormone receptors. There are three PPAR isoforms, PPARalpha, PPARgamma and PPARdelta (identical to PPARbeta), which are encoded by different genes (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR): structure, mechanisms of activation and diverse functions: Motojima K., Cell Struct Funct., 1993, 18(5), 267-77).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to 4-oxy-N-[1,3,4]-thiadiazol-2-yl-benzene sulfonamides and to their physiologically acceptable salts and physiologically functional derivatives showing PPARdelta and PPAR gamma agonist activity. Compounds of the present invention are described by formula I:

wherein

-   R1 is selected from the group consisting of (C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C6)     alkylene-(C3-C6) cycloalkyl, (C0-C6) alkylene-O—(C1-C6) alkyl,     (C0-C6) alkylene-O—(C3-C6) cycloalkyl, (C0-C6) alkylene-(C6-C14)     aryl and (C0-C6) alkylene-(C5-C15) heteroaryl, wherein alkyl,     alkylene, aryl and cycloalkyl are unsubstituted or mono-, di- or     trisubstituted by F, Cl, Br, (C1-C6) alkyl, O—(C1-C6) alkyl, CF₃,     OCF₃, CN, CO—(C1-C6) alkyl, COO—(C1-C6) alkyl, CON((C0-C6)     alkylene-H) (C0-C6) alkylene-H), S(O)_(m)(C1-C6) alkyl; -   R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of H,     halogen, (C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-H, SCH3,     CN, wherein alkyl and alkylene is unsubstituted or mono-, di- or     trisubstituted by F; -   R4, R5, R6 and R7 are independently selected from the group     consisting of H, (C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C6) cycloalkyl,     (C0-C6) alkylene-(C6-C14) aryl, (C0-C6) alkylene-(C5-C15)     heteroaryl, (C0-C6) alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycloalkyl and (C0-C6)     alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycloalkenyl, wherein alkyl, cycloalkyl,     aryl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl and heteroaryl are     unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by F, Cl, Br, CF3,     (C1-C4) alkyl and (C0-C4)-alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-H; -   m is 0 and 1; -   A is selected from the group consisting of, (C6-C14) aryl and     (C5-C15) heteroaryl; -   B is selected from the group consisting of, (C6-C14) aryl, (C3-C12)     cycloalkyl, (C5-C15) heteroaryl; -   Z is a bond, O or -   Ring A and Ring B are joined together to form an annealed (C5-C15)     heterocyclic or (C8-C14) aromatic ring system; and Z is absent -   R8, R9 are independently selected from the group consisting of H,     halogen, (C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-H, SCF3,     SF5, S(O)2CF3, O—(C6-C14) aryl, (C6-C14) aryl and NO2, wherein alkyl     and alkylene is unsubstituted or mono, bi- or trisubstituted by F     and wherein aryl is unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by     F, Cl, Br, CF3, (C1-C4) alkyl and (C0-C4)-alkylene-O—(C0-C4)     alkylene-H; -   p is 0, 1, 2 or 3; -   q is 0, 1 or 2;     its' stereoisomers, enantiomers, tautomers, their physiologically     acceptable salts and mixtures thereof.

A second embodiment of the present invention is compounds of the formula I wherein one or more substituents have the following meaning:

-   R1 is selected from the group consisting of (C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C6)     alkylene-O—(C1-C6) alkyl and (C0-C6) alkylene-(C6-C14) aryl, wherein     alkyl, alkylene and aryl are unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted     by F; -   R2 and R3 are independently H, halogen, (C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C4)     alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-H, wherein alkyl and alkylene is     unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by F; -   R4, R5, R6 and R7 are such that one of the four substituents is     selected from the group consisting of H, (C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C2)     alkylene-(C3-C6) cycloalkyl, (C0-C2) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, (C0-C2)     alkylene-(C5-C10) heteroaryl, (C0-C2) alkylene-(C3-C10)     heterocycloalkyl, (C0-C2) alkylene-(C3-C10) heterocycloalkenyl,     wherein alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl,     heterocycloalkenyl and heteroaryl are unsubstituted or mono-, di- or     trisubstituted by F, Cl, CF3, (C1-C4) alkyl and     (C0-C4)-alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-H;     and the other three substituents is H -   m is 0, 1; -   A is (C6-C10) aryl, (C5-C10) heteroaryl; -   B is (C6-C10) aryl, (C6-C8) cycloalkyl, (C5-C10) heteroaryl; -   Z is a bond or O; -   A and B together form an annealed (C8-C10) heterocyclic ring and Z     is absent -   Z is absent; -   R8 is H, (C1-C6) alkyl; -   R9 is selected from the group consisting of H, (C1-C6) alkyl,     (C0-C4) alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-H, and O—(C6-C10) aryl, wherein     alkyl and alkylene is unsubstituted or mono, bi- or trisubstituted     by F; -   p is 0, 1, 2; -   q is 0, 1.

Another embodiment according to the invention are compounds of the formula I wherein

-   R1 is (C1-C6) alkyl, phenyl, (C3-C6) cycloalkyl.

Yet another embodiment according to the invention are compounds of the formula I wherein

-   R1 is isopropyl.

Another embodiment according to the invention are compounds of the formula I wherein

-   R2 and R3 are H.

Another embodiment according to the invention are compounds of the formula I wherein

-   R4, R5, R6 and R7 are H.

Another embodiment according to the invention are compounds of the formula I wherein

-   m is 0.

Another embodiment according to the invention are compounds of the formula I wherein

-   A is oxazole, thiazole, phenyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazole.

Another embodiment according to the invention are compounds of the formula I wherein

-   B is phenyl or cyclohexyl.

Another embodiment according to the invention is compounds of the formula I wherein

-   Z is a bond.

Another embodiment according to the invention are compounds of the formula I wherein A and B together form a benzo-furan ring and Z is absent. Another embodiment according to the invention are compounds of the formula I wherein

-   R8 is selected from the group consisting of H, (C1-C4) alkyl and -   p is 0 or 1.

Another embodiment according to the invention are compounds of the formula I wherein

-   R9 is H, CF3, O—(C1-C4) alkyl, phenoxy and -   q is 1.

More specific embodiments of the present invention are the compounds:

-   N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide -   N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-methyl-2-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide -   N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-(6-methoxy-benzofuran-3-ylmethoxy)-benzenesulfonamide -   N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-benzyloxy]-benzenesulfonamide -   N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzyloxy]-benzenesulfonamide -   4-[4-Butyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy]-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide -   N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[5-methyl-2-(4-phenoxy-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide -   4-(2-Cyclohexyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide -   N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[5-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide -   N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-5-methyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide -   4-(2-Biphenyl-4-yl-5-methyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide -   N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-(5-methoxy-benzofuran-2-ylmethoxy)-benzenesulfonamide -   N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide -   4-[5-Ethyl-2-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide -   N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide -   N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[5-isopropyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide -   4-[5-Ethyl-2-(2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide -   4-{2-[5-Methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-4-yl]-ethoxy}-N-(5-trifluoromethyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide -   N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-{2-[5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazol-4-yl]-ethoxy}-benzenesulfonamide

This invention also encompasses all combinations of preferred aspects of the invention described herein.

As used herein, the term “alkyl” is to be understood in the broadest sense to mean saturated hydrocarbon residues which can be linear, i.e. straight-chain, or branched. If not otherwise defined alkyl has 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of “—(C1-C8)-alkyl” are alkyl residues containing 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 carbon atoms are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl or octyl, the n-isomers of all these residues, isopropyl, isobutyl, 1-methylbutyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, isohexyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl or tert-pentyl. The term “—(C0-C8)-alkyl” is a hydrocarbon residue containing 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 carbon atoms, in which the term “—C0-alkyl” is a covalent bond. All these statements apply also to the term alkylene.

As used herein, the term “alkenyl” is to be understood in the broadest sense to mean hydrocarbon residues which has 1 to 4 double bonds and can be linear, i.e. straight-chain, or branched. If not otherwise defined alkenyl has 2 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of “—(C2-C8)-alkenyl” are alkenyl residues containing 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 carbon atoms are, for example vinyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl (=allyl), 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-methyl-2-butenyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyl, 5-hexenyl or 1,3-pentadienyl. All these statements apply also to the term alkenylene.

As used herein, the term “alkynyl” is to be understood in the broadest sense to mean hydrocarbon residues, which has 1 to 4 triple bonds and can be linear, i.e. straight-chain, or branched. If not otherwise defined alkynyl has 2 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of “—(C2-C8)-alkynyl” are alkynyl residues containing 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 carbon atoms are, for example ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl (=propargyl) or 2-butynyl. All these statements apply also to the term alkylidene.

All these statements also apply if an alkyl group occurs as a substituent on another residue, for example in an alkyloxy residue, an alkyloxycarbonyl residue or an arylalkyl residue.

If not otherwise defined, alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkenylene, alkynyl and alkynylene are unsubstituted or mono, di- or trisubstituted independently of one another by suitable groups such as, for example: F, Cl, Br, I, CF3, NO2, CN, COOH, CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, CO—O—(C1-C4) alkyl, CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4) alkylene-H, CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycle, (C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C6)cycloalkyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10)aryl, (C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, (C2-C6)-alkenyl, (C2-C6)-alkynyl, O—(C0-C6)-alkyl, O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C12)cycloalkyl, O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, O—CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, O—CO—O—(C1-C4) alkyl, O—CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, O—CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, S—(C1-C4)alkyl, S—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, S—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, S—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycle, SO—(C1-C4)alkyl, SO—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, SO—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, SO—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycle, SO2-(C1-C4)alkyl, SO2-(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, SO2-(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, SO2-(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycle, SO2-N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C10)aryl, SO2-N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-H, SO2-N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, SO2-N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle where the aryl ring or heterocyclic ring is unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by F, Cl, Br, OH, CF3, NO2, CN, OCF3, O—(C1-C6)-alkyl, (C1-C6)-alkyl, N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)-alkylene-H; N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)-alkylene-H, N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C1-C6)cycloalkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C12)-aryl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—CO—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C12)-aryl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—(C0-C4)alkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—CO—O—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C12)-aryl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—O—(C0-C4)alkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—O—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—O—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—CO—N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C12)-aryl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, where the aryl ring or heterocyclic ring is unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CF3, NO2, CN, OCF3, O—(C1-C6)-alkyl, (C1-C6)-alkyl, N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)-alkylene-H, SO2-CH3, COOH, COO—(C1-C6)-alkyl, SF5, CONH2.

The term cycloalkyl is to be understood to mean saturated hydrocarbon cycle containing from 3 to 13 carbon atoms in a mono- or bicyclic, fused, bridged or spirocyclic ring. Examples of (C3-C13)-cycloalkyl cyclic alkyl residues are cycloalkyl residues containing 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13 ring carbon atoms like cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclononyl, cyclodecyl, cycloundecyl or cyclododecyl. The term cycloalkyl also includes bicyclic groups in which any of the above cycloalkyl ring is fused to a benzene ring, for example indane and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene.

The term cycloalkenyl is to be understood to mean unsaturated hydrocarbon cycle containing from 3 to 8 carbon atoms in a mono- or bicyclic, fused or bridged ring, wherein the one, two or three double bonds are not located within a cyclic alkyl group in such a manner that an aromatic system results. Examples of unsaturated cycloalkenyl groups are cyclopentenyl or cyclohexenyl, which can be bonded via any carbon atom. The term cycloalkenyl also includes bicyclic groups in which any of the above cycloalkenyl ring is fused to a benzene ring, for example 1,2-dihydronaphthalene, 1,4-dihydronaphthalene and 1H-indene.

If not otherwise defined cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl are unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted independently of one another by suitable groups such as, for example: F, Cl, Br, I, CF3, NO2, CN, COOH, CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, CO—O—(C1-C4) alkyl, CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C1-C6)alkylene-H, CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C1-C6)cycloalkyl, CON((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C12)-aryl, (C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C6)cycloalkyl, (C3-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)-alkenyl, (C2-C6)-alkynyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10)aryl, (C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, O—(C0-C6)-alkyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10)aryl, (C0-C4) alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, O—CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, O—CO—O—(C1-C4) alkyl, O—CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, O—CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, O—CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, O—CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4) alkylene-H, O—CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, O—CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycle, S—(C1-C4)alkyl, S—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, S—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, S—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycle, SO—(C1-C4)alkyl, SO—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, SO—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, SO—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycle, SO2-(C1-C4)alkyl, SO2-(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, SO2-(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, SO2-(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycle, SO2-N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C10)aryl, SO2-N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-H, SO2-N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, SO2-N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, where the aryl ring or heterocyclic ring is unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by F, Cl, Br, OH, CF3, NO2, CN, OCF3, O—(C1-C6)-alkyl, (C1-C6)-alkyl, N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)-alkylene-H; N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)-alkylene-H, N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C1-C6)cycloalkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C12)-aryl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—CO—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C12)-aryl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—(C0-C4)alkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—CO—O—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C12)-aryl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—O—(C0-C4)alkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—O—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—O—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—CO—N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C12)-aryl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, where the aryl or heterocyclic ring is unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CF3, NO2, CN, OCF3, O—(C1-C6)-alkyl, (C1-C6)-alkyl, N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)-alkylene-H, SO2-CH3, COOH, COO—(C1-C6)-alkyl, SF5, CONH2.

The term “aryl” is understood to mean aromatic hydrocarbon ring containing from 6 to 14 carbon atoms in a mono- or bicyclic ring. Examples of (C6-C14)-aryl rings are phenyl, naphthyl, for example 1-naphthyl and 2-naphthyl, biphenyl, for example 2-biphenyl, 3-biphenyl and 4-biphenyl, anthryl or fluorenyl. Biphenyl rings, naphthyl ring and, in particular, phenyl ring are further embodiments of aryl ring.

The terms “heterocycle” is understood to mean saturated (heterocycloalkyl), partly unsaturated (heterocycloalkenyl) or unsaturated (heteroaryl)hydrocarbon rings containing from 3 to 15 carbon atoms in a mono- or bicyclic, fused, bridged or spirocyclic ring in which 1 to 5 carbon atoms of the 3 to 15 ring carbon atoms are replaced by heteroatoms such as nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur in which further the heteroatoms can be oxidized, for example N═O, S═O, SO2. Examples of heterocyclic ring compounds are acridinyl, azaindole (1H-pyrrolopyridinyl), azabenzimidazolyl, azaspirodecanyl, azepinyl, azetidinyl, aziridinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, dihydrobenzofuranyl, benzothiofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazolyl, benzthiazolyl, benztriazolyl, benztetrazolyi, benzisoxazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, carbazolyl, 4aH-carbazolyl, carbolinyl, chromanyl, chromenyl, cinnolinyl, decahydrochinolinyl, 4,5-dihydrooxazolinyl, dioxazolyl, dioxazinyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl, 1,3-dioxolenyl, 3,3-dioxo[1,3,4]oxathiazinyl, 6H-1,5,2-dithiazinyl, dihydrofuro[2,3-b]-tetrahydrofuranyl, furanyl, furazanyl, imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolyl, 1H-indazolyl, indolinyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, 3H-indolyl, isobenzofuranyl, isochromanyl, isoindazolyl, isoindolinyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolinyl(benzimidazolyi), isothiazolyl, isothiazolidinyl, isothiazolinyl, isoxazolyl, isoxazolinyl, isoxazolidinyl, 2-isoxazolinyl, ketopiperazinyl, morpholinyl, naphthyridinyl, octahydroisoquinolinyl, oxadiazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2-oxa-thiepanyl, 1,2-oxathiolanyl, 1,4-oxazepanyl, 1,4-oxazepinyl, 1,2-oxazinyl, 1,3-oxazinyl, 1,4-oxazinyl, oxazolidinyl, oxazolinyl, oxazolyl, oxetanyl, oxocanyl, phenanthridinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxathiinyl, phenoxazinyl, phthalazinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pteridinyl, purinyl, pyranyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridooxazolyl, pyridoimidazolyl, pyridothiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolidinonyl, pyrrolinyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, 4H-quinolizinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinuclidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydropyridinyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, tetrazinyl, tetrazolyl, 6H-1,2,5-thiadiazinyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, thianthrenyl, 1,2-thiazinyl, 1,3-thiazinyl, 1,4-thiazinyl, 1,3-thiazolyl, thiazolyl, thiazolidinyl, thiazolinyl, thienyl, thietanyl, thienothiazolyl, thienooxazolyl, thienoimidazolyl, thiomorpholinyl, thiophenolyl, thiophenyl, thiopyranyl, 1,2,3-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, 1,3,5-triazinyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, 1,2,5-triazolyl, 1,3,4-triazolyl and xanthenyl.

The heterocyclic rings are unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by suitable groups such as, for example: F, Cl, Br, I, CF3, NO2, CN, COOH, CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, CO—O—(C1-C4) alkyl, CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C1-C6)alkylene-H, CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C1-C6)cycloalkyl, CON((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C12)-aryl, (C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C6)cycloalkyl, (C3-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)-alkenyl, (C2-C6)-alkynyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10)aryl, (C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, O—(C0-C6)-alkyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10)aryl, (C0-C4) alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, O—CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, O—CO—O—(C1-C4) alkyl, O—CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, O—CO—O—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, O—CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, O—CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4) alkylene-H, O—CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, O—CO—N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycle, S—(C1-C4)alkyl, S—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, S—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, S—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycle, SO—(C1-C4)alkyl, SO—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, SO—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, SO—(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycle, SO2-(C1-C4)alkyl, SO2-(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, SO2-(C0-C4) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, SO2-(C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycle, SO2-N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C10)aryl, SO2-N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-H, SO2-N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, SO2-N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, where the aryl ring or heterocyclic ring is unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by F, Cl, Br, OH, CF3, NO2, CN, OCF3, O—(C1-C6)-alkyl, (C1-C6)-alkyl, N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)-alkylene-H;

N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)-alkylene-H, N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C1-C6)cycloalkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C12)-aryl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—CO—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C12)-aryl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—(C0-C4)alkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—CO—O—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C12)-aryl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—O—(C0-C4)alkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—O—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—O—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, N((C0-C4) alkylene-H)—CO—N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C6-C12)-aryl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C13)cycloalkyl, N((C0-C4)alkylene-H)—CO—N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)alkylene-(C3-C15)heterocycle, where the aryl or heterocyclic ring is unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CF3, NO2, CN, OCF3, O—(C1-C6)-alkyl, (C1-C6)-alkyl, N((C0-C4)-alkylene-H)—(C0-C4)-alkylene-H, SO2-CH3, COOH, COO—(C1-C6)-alkyl, SF5, CONH2.

The term “R5 and R6 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded (Y═N(R6)) can form a (C3-C9)-heterocycle which for example can contain additionally 1 to 3 heteroatoms” refer to structures of heterocycles which can be derived from compounds such as for example pyrrolidine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, piperidine, piperazine, azetidine, 2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindole, piperazin-2-one, azetidine, isoindoline, 2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, thiomorpholine 1-oxide, thiomorpholine 1,1-dioxide, piperidin-4-one, piperidin-3-one, homopiperidine, homopiperazine, homomorpholine, 2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-(1H)-1,4-diazepin-5(4H)-one,

4-oxazolidine, azetidin-3-one, thiazolidine, thiazolidine 1-oxide, thiazolidine 1,1-dioxide, 4-imidazolidinone, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazine, 1,4-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane, 2-aza-5-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, 2-oxa-5-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, diazabicyclo[4.4.0]decane, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridine, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazol[4,5-c]-pyridine, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine, 3,8-diaza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octane, octahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole, 2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, 4-spiro-[3-(N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone)]-piperidine, 2,8-diaza-spiro[5.5]undecane, 2,7-diaza-spiro[4.4]nonane, 3,9-diaza-spiro[5.5]undecane, 2,8-diaza-spiro[4.5]decane, 2,7-diaza-spiro[3.5]nonane, 2,9-diaza-spiro[5.5]undecane, 2,7-diaza-spiro[4.5]decane, 1-oxa-4,9-diaza-spiro[5.5]undecane, 1-oxa-4,8-diaza-spiro[5.5]undecane.

The term “oxo-residue” or “═O” refers to residues such as carbonyl (—C(O)—) or nitroso (—N═O).

Halogen is fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

Optically active carbon atoms present in the compounds of the formula I can independently of each other have R configuration or S configuration. The compounds of the formula I can be present in the form of pure enantiomers or pure diastereomers or in the form of mixtures of enantiomers and/or diastereomers, for example in the form of racemates. The present invention relates to pure enantiomers and mixtures of enantiomers as well as to pure diastereomers and mixtures of diastereomers. The invention comprises mixtures of two or of more than two stereoisomers of the formula I and it comprises all ratios of the stereoisomers in the mixtures. In case the compounds of the formula I can be present as E isomers or Z isomers (or cis isomers or trans isomers) the invention relates both to pure E isomers and pure Z isomers and to E/Z mixtures in all ratios. The invention also comprises all tautomeric forms of the compounds of the formula I.

Diastereomers, including E/Z isomers, can be separated into the individual isomers, for example, by chromatography. Racemates can be separated into the two enantiomers by customary methods, for example by chromatography on chiral phases or by resolution, for example by crystallization of diastereomeric salts obtained with optically active acids or bases. Stereochemically uniform compounds of the formula I can also be obtained by employing stereochemically uniform starting materials or by using stereoselective reactions.

The compounds of the formula I may exist in the form of their racemates, racemic mixtures, pure enantiomers, diastereomers and mixtures of diastereomers as well in their tautomeric forms. The present invention encompasses all these isomeric and tautomeric forms of the compounds of the formula I. These isomeric forms can be obtained by known methods even if not specifically described in some cases.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are, because their solubility in water is greater than that of the initial or basic compounds, particularly suitable for medical applications. These salts must have a pharmaceutically acceptable anion or cation. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts of the compounds of the invention are salts of inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic, phosphoric, metaphosphoric, nitric and sulfuric acid, and of organic acids such as, for example, acetic acid, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, citric, ethanesulfonic, fumaric, gluconic, glycolic, isethionic, lactic, lactobionic, maleic, malic, methanesulfonic, succinic, p-toluenesulfonic and tartaric acid. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable basic salts are ammonium salts, alkali metal salts (such as sodium and potassium salts), alkaline earth metal salts (such as magnesium and calcium salts), and salts of trometamol (2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol), diethanolamine, lysine or ethylenediamine.

Salts with a pharmaceutically unacceptable anion such as, for example, trifluoroacetate likewise belong within the framework of the invention as useful intermediates for the preparation or purification of pharmaceutically acceptable salts and/or for use in nontherapeutic, for example in vitro, applications.

The term “physiologically functional derivative” used herein refers to any physiologically tolerated derivative of a compound of the formula I of the invention, for example an ester, which on administration to a mammal such as, for example, a human is able to form (directly or indirectly) a compound of the formula I or an active metabolite thereof.

Physiologically functional derivatives also include prodrugs of the compounds of the invention, as described, for example, in H. Okada et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1994, 42, 57-61. Such prodrugs can be metabolized in vivo to a compound of the invention. These prodrugs may themselves be active or not.

The compounds of the invention may also exist in various polymorphous forms, for example as amorphous and crystalline polymorphous forms. All polymorphous forms of the compounds of the invention belong within the framework of the invention and are a further aspect of the invention.

All references to “compound(s) of formula I” hereinafter refer to compound(s) of the formula I as described above, and their salts, solvates and physiologically functional derivatives as described herein.

Methods of Use

This invention relates further to methods for the use of compounds of the formula I and their pharmaceutical compositions as peroxisome proliferator activator receptor (PPAR) ligands. The PPAR ligands of the invention are effective in the modulation of PPAR activity, especially the activity of PPARdelta and PPARalpha. Depending on the modulation profile, the compounds of the formula I are suitable for the treatment, control and prophylaxis of the indications described hereinafter, and for a number of other pharmaceutical applications connected thereto (see, for example, Berger, J., et al., Annu. Rev. Med., 2002, 53, 409-435; Wilson, T. et al., J. Med. Chem., 2000, 43(4), 527-550; Kliewer, S. et al., Recent Prog Horm Res., 2001, 56, 239-63; Fruchart, J. C. et al., 2001, Pharmacological Research, 44(5), 345-52; Kersten, S. et al., Nature, 2000, 405, 421-424; Torra, I. P. et al., Curr Opin Lipidol, 2001, 12, 245-254).

Compounds of this type are particularly suitable for the treatment and/or prevention of:

-   1.—Disorders of fatty acid metabolism and glucose utilization     disorders.     -   Disorders in which insulin resistance is involved -   2. Diabetes mellitus, especially type-2 diabetes, related disorders     and the physical manifestations thereof. Particular aspects in this     connection are:     -   hyperglycemia,     -   improvement in insulin resistance,     -   improvement in glucose tolerance,     -   protection of the pancreatic β-cells     -   prevention of macro- and microvascular disorders -   3. Dyslipidemias and their sequelae such as, for example,     atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disorders     etc, especially those (but not restricted thereto) which are     characterized by one or more of the following factors:     -   high plasma triglyceride concentrations, high postprandial         plasma triglyceride concentrations,     -   low HDL cholesterol concentrations     -   low ApoA lipoprotein concentrations     -   high LDL cholesterol concentrations     -   small dense LDL cholesterol particles     -   high ApoB lipoprotein concentrations -   4. Various other conditions which may be associated with the     metabolic syndrome, such as:     -   obesity (excess weight), including central obesity     -   thromboses, hypercoagulable and prothrombotic states (arterial         and venous)     -   high blood pressure     -   heart failure such as, for example (but not restricted thereto),         following myocardial infarction, hypertensive heart disease or         cardiomyopathy -   5. Disorders or conditions in which inflammatory reactions are     involved:     -   atherosclerosis such as, for example (but not restricted         thereto), coronary sclerosis including angina pectoris or         myocardial infarction, stroke     -   vascular restenosis or reocclusion     -   chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as, for example,         Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis     -   asthma     -   lupus erythematosus (LE) or inflammatory rheumatic disorders         such as, for example, rheumatoid arthritis     -   other inflammatory states -   6. Disorders of cell cycle or cell differentiation processes:     -   adipose cell tumors     -   lipomatous carcinomas such as, for example, liposarcomas     -   solid tumors and neoplasms such as, for example (but not         restricted thereto), carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract,         of the liver, of the biliary tract and of the pancreas,         endocrine tumors, carcinomas of the lungs, of the kidneys and         the urinary tract, of the genital tract, prostate carcinomas etc     -   acute and chronic myeloproliferative disorders and lymphomas     -   angiogenesis -   7. Demyelinating and other neurodegenerative disorders of the     central and peripheral nervous systems including:     -   Alzheimer's disease     -   multiple sclerosis     -   Parkinson's disease     -   adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)     -   adrenomyeloneuropathy     -   AIDS-vacuolar myelopathy     -   HTLV-associated myelopathy     -   Leber's hereditary optic atrophy     -   progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)     -   subacute sclerosing panencephalitis     -   Guillian-Barre syndrome     -   tropical spastic paraparesis     -   acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)     -   acute viral encephalitis     -   acute transverse myelitis     -   spinal cord and brain trauma     -   Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease -   8. Skin disorders and/or disorders of wound healing processes:     -   erythemato-squamous dermatoses such as, for example, psoriasis     -   acne vulgaris     -   other skin disorders and dermatological conditions which are         modulated by PPAR     -   eczemas and neurodermitis     -   dermatitis such as, for example, seborrheic dermatitis or         photodermatitis     -   keratitis and keratoses such as, for example, seborrheic         keratoses, senile keratoses, actinic keratosis, photo-induced         keratoses or keratosis follicularis     -   keloids and keloid prophylaxis     -   warts, including condylomata or condylomata acuminata     -   human papilloma viral (HPV) infections such as, for example,         venereal papillomata, viral warts such as, for example,         molluscum contagiosum, leukoplakia     -   papular dermatoses such as, for example, Lichen planus     -   skin cancer such as, for example, basal-cell carcinomas,         melanomas or cutaneous T-cell lymphomas     -   localized benign epidermal tumors such as, for example,         keratoderma, epidermal naevi     -   chilblains     -   wound healing -   9. Other disorders     -   high blood pressure     -   pancreatitis     -   syndrome X     -   polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)     -   asthma     -   osteoarthritis     -   lupus erythematosus (LE) or inflammatory rheumatic disorders         such as, for example, rheumatoid arthritis     -   vasculitis     -   wasting (cachexia)     -   gout     -   ischemia/reperfusion syndrome     -   acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Formulations

The amount of the compound of formula I necessary to achieve the desired biological effect depends on a number of factors such as the specific compound chosen, the intended use, the mode of administration and the clinical condition of the patient. The daily dose is generally in the range from 0.001 mg to 100 mg (typically from 0.01 mg to 50 mg) per day and per kilogram of bodyweight, for example 0.1-10 mg/kg/day. An intravenous dose may be, for example, in the range from 0.001 mg to 1.0 mg/kg, which can suitably be administered as infusion of 10 ng to 100 ng per kilogram and per minute. Suitable infusion solutions for these purposes may contain, for example, from 0.1 ng to 10 mg, typically from 1 ng to 10 mg, per milliliter. Single doses may contain, for example, from 1 mg to 10 g of the active ingredient. Thus, ampules for injections may contain, for example, from 1 mg to 100 mg, and single-dose formulations which can be administered orally, such as, for example, capsules or tablets, may contain, for example, from 0.05 to 1000 mg, typically from 0.5 to 600 mg. For the therapy of the abovementioned conditions, the compounds of formula I may be used as the compound itself, but they are preferably in the form of a pharmaceutical composition with an acceptable carrier. The carrier must, of course, be acceptable in the sense that it is compatible with the other ingredients of the composition and is not harmful for the patient's health. The carrier may be a solid or a liquid or both and is preferably formulated with the compound as a single dose, for example as a tablet, which may contain from 0.05% to 95% by weight of the active ingredient. Other pharmaceutically active substances may likewise be present, including other compounds of formula I. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be produced by one of the known pharmaceutical methods, which essentially consist of mixing the ingredients with pharmacologically acceptable carriers and/or excipients.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are those suitable for oral, rectal, topical, peroral (for example sublingual) and parenteral (for example subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal or intravenous) administration, although the most suitable mode of administration depends in each individual case on the nature and severity of the condition to be treated and on the nature of the compound of formula I used in each case. Coated formulations and coated slow-release formulations also belong within the framework of the invention. Preference is given to acid- and gastric juice-resistant formulations. Suitable coatings resistant to gastric juice comprise cellulose acetate phthalate, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate and anionic polymers of methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate.

Suitable pharmaceutical preparations for oral administration may be in the form of separate units such as, for example, capsules, cachets, suckable tablets or tablets, each of which contain a defined amount of the compound of formula I; as powders or granules, as solution or suspension in an aqueous or nonaqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsion. These compositions may, as already mentioned, be prepared by any suitable pharmaceutical method which includes a step in which the active ingredient and the carrier (which may consist of one or more additional ingredients) are brought into contact. The compositions are generally produced by uniform and homogeneous mixing of the active ingredient with a liquid and/or finely divided solid carrier, after which the product is shaped if necessary. Thus, for example, a tablet can be produced by compressing or molding a powder or granules of the compound, where appropriate with one or more additional ingredients. Compressed tablets can be produced by tableting the compound in free-flowing form such as, for example, a powder or granules, where appropriate mixed with a binder, glidant, inert diluent and/or one (or more) surface-active/dispersing agent(s) in a suitable machine. Molded tablets can be produced by molding the compound, which is in powder form and is moistened with an inert liquid diluent, in a suitable machine.

Pharmaceutical compositions which are suitable for peroral (sublingual) administration comprise suckable tablets which contain a compound of formula I with a flavoring, normally sucrose and gum arabic or tragacanth, and pastlles which comprise the compound in an inert base such as gelatin and glycerol or sucrose and gum arabic.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for parenteral administration comprise preferably sterile aqueous preparations of a compound of formula I, which are preferably isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient. These preparations are preferably administered intravenously, although administration may also take place by subcutaneous, intramuscular or intradermal injection. These preparations can preferably be produced by mixing the compound with water and making the resulting solution sterile and isotonic with blood. Injectable compositions of the invention generally contain from 0.1 to 5% by weight of the active compound.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for rectal administration are preferably in the form of single-dose suppositories. These can be produced by mixing a compound of the formula I with one or more conventional solid carriers, for example cocoa butter, and shaping the resulting mixture.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for topical use on the skin are preferably in the form of ointment, cream, lotion, paste, spray, aerosol or oil. Carriers which can be used are petrolatum, lanolin, polyethylene glycols, alcohols and combinations of two or more of these substances. The active ingredient is generally present in a concentration of from 0.1 to 15% by weight of the composition, for example from 0.5 to 2%.

Transdermal administration is also possible. Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for transdermal uses can be in the form of single plasters which are suitable for long-term close contact with the patient's epidermis. Such plasters suitably contain the active ingredient in an aqueous solution which is buffered where appropriate, dissolved and/or dispersed in an adhesive or dispersed in a polymer. A suitable active ingredient concentration is about 1% to 35%, preferably about 3% to 15%. A particular possibility is for the active ingredient to be released by electrotransport or iontophoresis as described, for example, in Pharmaceutical Research, 2(6): 318 (1986).

The compounds of the formula I are distinguished by favorable effects on metabolic disorders. They beneficially influence lipid and sugar metabolism, in particular they lower the triglyceride level and are suitable for the prevention and treatment of type II diabetes and atheriosclerosis and the diverse sequalae thereof.

Pharmaceutical Combinations

The compounds of the invention can be administered alone or in combination with one or more additional active pharmaceutical compounds. In particular, the compounds of the invention can be administered in combination with active ingredients having a similar pharmacological action. For example, they can be administered in combination with active ingredients which are also effective in the treatment of metabolic disturbances or disorders frequently associated therewith. Examples of such pharmaceutical actives are:

-   -   1. medicaments which lower blood glucose, i.e., anti-diabetics,     -   2. active ingredients for the treatment of dyslipidemias,     -   3. anti-atherosclerotic medicaments,     -   4. anti-obesity agents,     -   5. anti-inflammatory active ingredients     -   6. active ingredients for the treatment of malignant tumors     -   7. anti-thrombotic active ingredients     -   8. active ingredients for the treatment of high blood pressure     -   9. active ingredients for the treatment of heart failure and     -   10. active ingredients for the treatment of complications caused         by diabetes or associated with diabetes.     -   11. active ingredients for the treatment of neurodegenerative         diseases     -   12. active ingredients for the treatment of disorders of the         central nervous system     -   13. active ingredients for the treatment of drug, nicotine and         alcohol addiction     -   14. analgesics

They can be combined with the compounds of the invention of the formula I in particular for a synergistic enhancement of activity. Administration of the active ingredient combination can take place either by separate administration of the active ingredients to the patient or in the form of combination products in which a plurality of active ingredients are present in one pharmaceutical preparation.

Particularly suitable further active ingredients for the combination preparations are: All antidiabetics mentioned in the Rote Liste 2006, Chapter 12; all slimming agents/appetite suppressants mentioned in the Rote Liste 2006, Chapter 1; all lipid-lowering agents mentioned in the Rote Liste 2006, Chapter 58. They can be combined with the compound of the formula I according to the invention in particular for a synergistic enhancement of activity. The active compound combination can be administered either by separate administration of the active compounds to the patient or in the form of combination preparations in which a plurality of active compounds are present in a pharmaceutical preparation. Most of the active compounds listed below are disclosed in USP Dictionary of USAN and International Drug Names, US Pharmacopeia, Rockville 2001.

Anti-diabetics include insulin and insulin derivatives, such as, for example, Lantus® (see www.lantus.com) or HMR 1964 or those described in WO2005005477 (Novo Nordisk), fast-acting insulins (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,633), inhalable insulins, such as, for example, Exubera® or oral insulins, such as, for example, IN-105 (Nobex) or Oral-lyn™ (Generex Biotechnology), GLP-1 derivatives, such as, for example, Exenatide, Liraglutide or those disclosed in WO 98/08871 or WO2005027978 by Novo Nordisk A/S, in WO 01/04156 by Zealand or in WO 00/34331 by Beaufour-lpsen, pramlintide acetate (Symlin; Amylin Pharmaceuticals), and also orally effective hypoglycemic active ingredients.

The active compounds preferably include

sulfonylureas, biguanidines, meglitinides, oxadiazolidinediones, thiazolidinediones, glucosidase inhibitors, inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylase, glucagon antagonists, glucokinase activators, inhibitors of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, modulators of the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), inhibitors of glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT), GLP-1 agonists, potassium channel openers, such as, for example, those disclosed in WO 97/26265 and WO 99/03861 by Novo Nordisk A/S, inhibitors of dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP-IV), insulin sensitizers, inhibitors of liver enzymes involved in the stimulation of gluconeogenesis and/or glycogenolysis, modulators of glucose uptake, glucose transport and glucose back resorption, inhibitors of 11β-HSD1, inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), modulators of the sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 or 2 (SGLT1, SGLT2), compounds which alter lipid metabolism, such as antihyperlipidemic active ingredients and antilipidemic active ingredients, compounds which reduce food intake or food absorption, compounds which increase thermogenesis, PPAR and RXR modulators and active ingredients which act on the ATP-dependent potassium channel of the beta cells.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a HMGCoA reductase inhibitor, such as simvastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin, atorvastatin, cerivastatin, rosuvastatin or L-659699.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a cholesterol resorption inhibitor, such as, for example, ezetimibe, tiqueside, pamaqueside, FM-VP4 (sitostanol/campesterol ascorbyl phosphate; Forbes Medi-Tech, WO2005042692), MD-0727 (Microbia Inc., WO2005021497) or with compounds as described in WO2002066464 (Kotobuki Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.), WO2005062824 (Merck & Co.) or WO2005061451 and WO2005061452 (AstraZeneca AB).

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a PPAR gamma agonist, such as, for example, rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, JTT-501, G1262570, R-483 or CS-011 (rivoglitazone).

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a PPAR alpha agonist, such as, for example, GW9578, GW-590735, K-111, LY-674, KRP-101 or DRF-10945.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a mixed PPAR alpha/gamma agonist, such as, for example, muraglitazar, tesaglitazar, naveglitazar, LY-510929, ONO-5129, E-3030 or as described in WO00/64888, WO00/64876, WO03/020269, WO2004075891, WO2004076402, WO2004075815, WO2004076447, WO2004076428, WO2004076401, WO2004076426, WO2004076427, WO2006018118, WO2006018115, and WO2006018116 or in J. P. Berger et al., TRENDS in Pharmacological Sciences 28(5), 244-251, 2005.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a PPAR delta agonist, such as, for example, GW-501516 or as described in WO2005097762, WO2005097786, WO2005097763, and WO2006029699.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with metaglidasen or with MBX-2044 or other partial PPAR gamma agonists/antagonists.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a fibrate, such as, for example, fenofibrate, clofibrate or bezafibrate.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with an MTP inhibitor, such as, for example, implitapide, BMS-201038, R-103757 or those described in WO2005085226.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a CETP inhibitor, such as, for example, torcetrapib or JTT-705.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a bile acid resorption inhibitor (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,245,744, U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,897 or WO00/61568), such as, for example, HMR 1741 or those described in DE 10 2005 033099.1 and DE 10 2005 033100.9.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a polymeric bile acid adsorber, such as, for example, cholestyramine or colesevelam.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with an LDL receptor inducer (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,342,512), such as, for example, HMR1171, HMR1586 or those described in WO2005097738.

In another embodiment, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with Omacor® (omega-3 fatty acids; highly concentrated ethyl esters of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid).

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with an ACAT inhibitor, such as, for example, avasimibe.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with an antioxidant, such as, for example, OPC-14117, probucol, tocopherol, ascorbic acid, β-carotene or selenium.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a vitamin, such as, for example, vitamin B6 or vitamin B12.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a lipoprotein lipase modulator, such as, for example, ibrolipim (NO-1886).

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with an ATP-citrate lyase inhibitor, such as, for example, SB-204990.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a squalene synthetase inhibitor, such as, for example, BMS-188494 or as described in WO2005077907.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a lipoprotein(a) antagonist, such as, for example, gemcabene (CI-1027).

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with an HM74A receptor agonists, such as, for example, nicotinic acid.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a lipase inhibitor, such as, for example, orlistat or cetilistat (ATL-962).

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with insulin.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a sulfonylurea, such as, for example, tolbutamide, glibenclamide, glipizide or glimepiride.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a biguanide, such as, for example, metformin.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a meglitinide, such as, for example, repaglinide or nateglinide.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with a thiazolidinedione, such as, for example, troglitazone, ciglitazone, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone or the compounds disclosed in WO 97/41097 by Dr. Reddy's Research Foundation, in particular 5-[[4-[(3,4-dihydro-3-methyl-4-oxo-2-quinazolinylmethoxy]phenyl]methyl]-2,4-thiazolidinedione.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with an α-glucosidase inhibitor, such as, for example, miglitol or acarbose.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula i is administered in combination with an active ingredient which acts on the ATP-dependent potassium channel of the beta cells, such as, for example, tolbutamide, glibenclamide, glipizide, glimepiride or repaglinide.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with more than one of the compounds mentioned above, for example in combination with a sulfonylurea and metformin, a sulfonylurea and acarbose, repaglinide and metformin, insulin and a sulfonylurea, insulin and metformin, insulin and troglitazone, insulin and lovastatin, etc.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with an inhibitor of glycogen phosphorylase, such as, for example, PSN-357 or FR-258900 or those described in WO2003084922, WO2004007455, WO2005073229-31 or WO2005067932.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with glucagon receptor antagonists, such as, for example, A-770077, NNC-25-2504 or such as in WO2004100875 or WO2005065680.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with activators of glucokinase, such as, for example, RO-4389620, LY-2121260 (WO2004063179), PSN-105, PSN-110, GKA-50 or those described, for example, by Prosidion in WO2004072031, WO2004072066, WO 05103021 or WO 06016178, by Roche in WO 00058293, WO 00183465, WO 00183478, WO 00185706, WO 00185707, WO 01044216, GB 02385328, WO 02008209, WO 02014312, WO 0246173, WO 0248106, DE 10259786, WO 03095438, US 04067939 or WO 04052869, by Novo Nordisk in EP 1532980, WO 03055482, WO 04002481, WO 05049019, WO 05066145 or WO 05123132, by Merck/Banyu in WO 03080585, WO03097824, WO 04081001, WO 05063738 or WO 05090332, by Eli Lilly in WO 04063194, or by Astra Zeneca in WO 01020327, WO 03000262, WO 03000267, WO 03015774, WO 04045614, WO 04046139, WO 05044801, WO 05054200, WO 05054233, WO 05056530, WO 05080359, WO 05080360 or WO 05121110.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with an inhibitor of gluconeogenesis, such as, for example, FR-225654.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with inhibitors of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), such as, for example, CS-917.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with modulators of the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), such as, for example, KST-48 (D.-O. Lee et al.: Arzneim.-Forsch. Drug Res. 54 (12), 835 (2004)).

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with inhibitors of glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT), as described, for example, in WO2004101528.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with inhibitors of dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP-IV), such as, for example, vildagliptin (LAF-237), sitagliptin (MK-0431), saxagliptin ((BMS-477118), GSK-823093, PSN-9301, SYR-322, SYR-619, TA-6666, TS-021, GRC-8200, GW-825964X or as described in WO2003074500, WO2003106456, WO200450658, WO2005058901, WO2005012312, WO2005/012308, PCT/EP2005/007821, PCT/EP2005/008005, PCT/EP2005/008002, PCT/EP2005/008004, PCT/EP2005/008283, DE 10 2005 012874.2 or DE 10 2005 012873.4.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with inhibitors of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (11β-HSD1), such as, for example, BVT-2733 or those described, for example, in WO200190090-94, WO200343999, WO2004112782, WO200344000, WO200344009, WO2004112779, WO2004113310, WO2004103980, WO2004112784, WO2003065983, WO2003104207, WO2003104208, WO2004106294, WO2004011410, WO2004033427, WO2004041264, WO2004037251, WO2004056744, WO2004065351, WO2004089367, WO2004089380, WO2004089470-71, WO2004089896, WO2005016877 or WO2005097759.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), as described, for example, in WO200119830-31, WO200117516, WO2004506446, WO2005012295, PCT/EP2005/005311, PCT/EP2005/005321, PCT/EP2005/007151, PCT/EP200/5 or DE 10 2004 060542.4.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with modulators of the sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 or 2 (SGLT1, SGLT2), such as, for example, KGA-2727, T-1095 and SGL-0010 or as described, for example, in WO2004007517, WO200452903, WO200452902, WO2005121161, WO2005085237, JP2004359630 or by A. L. Handlon in Expert Opin. Ther. Patents (2005) 15(11), 1531-1540.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with inhibitors of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), such as those described, for example, in WO01/17981, WO01/66531, WO2004035550, WO2005073199 or WO03/051842.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with inhibitors of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) such as those described, for example, in WO199946262, WO200372197, WO2003072197 or WO2005044814.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with an inhibitor of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), such as those described, for example, in WO2004074288.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3 beta), such as those described, for example, in US2005222220, WO2004046117, WO2005085230, WO2005111018, WO2003078403, WO2004022544, WO2003106410, WO2005058908, US2005038023, WO2005009997, US2005026984, WO2005000836, WO2004106343, EP 1460075, WO2004014910, WO2003076442, WO2005087727 or WO2004046117.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with an inhibitor of protein kinase C beta (PKC beta), such as, for example, ruboxistaurin.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with an endothelin-A receptor antagonist, such as, for example, avosentan (SPP-301).

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with inhibitors of “1-kappaB kinase” (IKK inhibitors), such as those described, for example, in WO2001000610, WO2001030774, WO2004022553 or WO2005097129.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with modulators of the glucocorticoid receptor as described, for example, in WO2005090336.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with CART modulators (see “Cocaine-amphetamine-regulated transcript influences energy metabolism, anxiety and gastric emptying in mice” Asakawa, A. et al.: Hormone and Metabolic Research (2001), 33(9), 554-558); NPY antagonists such as, for example, {4-[(4-aminoquinazolin-2-ylamino)methyl]-cyclohexylmethyl}naphthalene-1-sulfonamide hydrochloride (CGP 71683A); peptide YY 3-36 (PYY3-36) or analogous compounds, such as, for example, CJC-1682 (PYY3-36 conjugated with human serum albumin via Cys34), CJC-1643 (derivative of PYY3-36 which conjugates in vivo to serum albumin) or those described in WO2005080424; cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonists, such as, for example, rimonabant, SR147778 or those described, for example, in EP 0656354, WO 00/15609, WO 02/076949, WO2005080345, WO2005080328, WO2005080343, WO2005075450, WO2005080357, WO200170700, WO2003026647-48, WO200302776, WO2003040107, WO2003007887, WO2003027069, U.S. Pat. No. 6,509,367, WO200132663, WO2003086288, WO2003087037, WO2004048317, WO2004058145, WO2003084930, WO2003084943, WO2004058744, WO2004013120, WO2004029204, WO2004035566, WO2004058249, WO2004058255, WO2004058727, WO2004069838, US20040214837, US20040214855, US20040214856, WO2004096209, WO2004096763, WO2004096794, WO2005000809, WO2004099157, US20040266845, WO2004110453, WO2004108728, WO2004000817, WO2005000820, US20050009870, WO200500974, WO2004111033-34, WO200411038-39, WO2005016286, WO2005007111, WO2005007628, US20050054679, WO2005027837, WO2005028456, WO2005063761-62, WO2005061509 or WO2005077897; MC4 agonists (for example [2-(3a-benzyl-2-methyl-3-oxo-2,3,3a,4,6,7-hexahydro-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5-yl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-1-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene-2-carboxamide; (WO 01/91752)) or LB53280, LB53279, LB53278 or THIQ, MB243, RY764, CHIR-785, PT-141 or those described in WO2005060985, WO2005009950, WO2004087159, WO2004078717, WO2004078716, WO2004024720, US20050124652, WO2005051391, WO2004112793, WOUS20050222014, US20050176728, US20050164914, US20050124636, US20050130988, US20040167201, WO2004005324, WO2004037797, WO2005042516, WO2005040109, WO2005030797, US20040224901, WO200501921, WO200509184, WO2005000339, EP1460069, WO2005047253, WO2005047251, EPI 538159, WO2004072076, WO2004072077 or WO2006024390; orexin receptor antagonists (for example 1-(2-methylbenzoxazol-6-yl)-3-[1,5]naphthyridin-4-ylurea hydrochloride (SB-334867-A) or those described, for example, in WO200196302, WO200185693, WO2004085403 or WO2005075458); histamine H3 receptor agonists (for example 3-cyclohexyl-1-(4,4-dimethyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-5-yl)-propan-1-one oxalic acid salt (WO 00/63208) or those described in WO200064884, WO2005082893);

CRF antagonists (for example [2-methyl-9-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-9H-1,3,9-triazafluoren-4-yl]dipropylamine (WO 00/66585)); CRF BP antagonists (for example urocortin); urocortin agonists; β3 agonists (such as, for example, 1-(4-chloro-3-methanesulfonylmethylphenyl)-2-[2-(2,3-dimethyl-1H-indol-6-yloxy)ethylamino]ethanol hydrochloride (WO 01/83451)); MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone) agonists; MCH (melanin-concentrating hormone) receptor antagonists (such as, for example, NBI-845, A-761, A-665798, A-798, ATC-0175, T-226296, T-71, GW-803430 or those compounds described in WO2003/15769, WO2005085200, WO2005019240, WO2004011438, WO2004012648, WO2003015769, WO2004072025, WO2005070898, WO2005070925, WO2006018280, WO2006018279, WO2004039780, WO2003033476, WO2002006245, WO2002002744, WO2003004027 or FR2868780); CCK-A agonists (such as, for example, {2-[4-(4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-(2-cyclohexylethyl)-thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl]-5,7-dimethylindol-1-yl}acetic acid trifluoroacetic acid salt (WO 99/15525), SR-146131 (WO 0244150) or SSR-125180); serotonin reuptake inhibitors (for example dexfenfluramine); mixed serotonin- and noradrenergic compounds (for example WO 00/71549); 5-HT receptor agonists, for example 1-(3-ethylbenzofuran-7-yl)piperazine oxalic acid salt (WO 01/09111); 5-HT2C receptor agonists (such as, for example, APD-356, BVT-933 or those described in WO200077010, WO20077001-02, WO2005019180, WO2003064423, WO200242304 or WO2005082859); 5-HT6 receptor antagonists, such as described, for example, in WO2005058858; bombesin receptor agonists (BRS-3 agonists); galanin receptor antagonists; growth hormone (for example human growth hormone or AOD-9604); growth hormone releasing compounds (tert-butyl 6-benzyloxy-1-(2-diisopropylaminoethylcarbamoyl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinoline-2-carboxylate (WO 01/85695)); growth hormone secretagog receptor antagonists (ghrelin antagonists) such as, for example, A-778193 or those described in WO2005030734; TRH agonists (see, for example, EP 0 462 884); uncoupling protein 2 or 3 modulators; leptin agonists (see for example Lee, Daniel W.; Leinung, Matthew C.; Rozhavskaya-Arena, Marina; Grasso, Patricia. Leptin agonists as a potential approach to the treatment of obesity. Drugs of the Future (2001), 26(9), 873-881); DA agonists (bromocriptine or Doprexin); lipase/amylase inhibitors (as described, for example, in WO 00/40569); inhibitors of diacylglycerol O-acyltransferases (DGATs) such as described, for example, in US2004/0224997, WO2004094618, WO200058491, WO2005044250, WO2005072740, JP2005206492 or WO2005013907; inhibitors of fatty acid synthase (FAS) such as, for example, C75 or those described in WO2004005277; oxyntomodulin; oleoyl-estrone or thyroid hormone receptor agonists, such as, for example, KB-2115 or those described in WO20058279, WO200172692, WO200194293, WO2003084915, WO2004018421 or WO2005092316.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the additional pharmaceutical active is leptin;

see for example “Perspectives in the therapeutic use of leptin”, Salvador, Javier; Gomez-Ambrosi, Javier; Fruhbeck, Gema, Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy (2001), 2(10), 1615-1622.

In one embodiment of the invention, the further active ingredient is dexamphetamine or amphetamine.

In one embodiment of the invention, the further active ingredient is fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine.

In another embodiment of the invention, the further active ingredient is sibutramine.

In one embodiment of the invention, the further active ingredient is mazindol or phentermine.

In another embodiment, the compounds of the formula I are administered in combination with bulking agents, preferably insoluble bulking agents (see, for example, carob/Caromaxe (Zunft H J; et al., Carob pulp preparation for treatment of hypercholesterolemia, ADVANCES IN THERAPY (2001 September-October), 18(5), 230-6). Caromax is a carob-containing product from Nutrinova, Nutrition Specialties & Food Ingredients GmbH, Industriepark Höchst, 65926 Frankfurt/Main). Combination with Caromax® is possible in one preparation or by separate administration of compounds of the formula I and Caromax®. Caromax® can in this connection also be administered in the form of food products such as, for example, in bakery products or muesli bars.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with PDE (phosphodiesterase) inhibitors, as described, for example, in WO2003/077949 or WO2005012485.

The additional pharmaceutical active in another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with NAR-1 (nicotinic acid receptor) agonists as described, for example, in WO2004094429.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with CB2 (cannabinoid receptor) agonists as described, for example, in US2005/143448.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with histamine 1 agonists as described, for example, in WO2005101979.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with bupropion, as described in WO2006017504.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with opioid antagonists as described, for example, in WO2005107806 or WO2004094429.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with neutral endopeptidase inhibitors as described, for example, in WO200202513, WO2002/06492, WO 2002040008, WO2002040022 or WO2002047670.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with NPY inhibitors (neuropeptide Y) as described, for example, in WO2002047670.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with sodium/hydrogen exchange inhibitors as described, for example, in WO2003092694.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with modulators of the glucocorticoid receptor as described, for example, in WO2005090336.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with nicotine receptor agonists as described, for example, in WO2004094429.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with NRIs (norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) as described, for example, in WO2002053140.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with MOA (E-beta-methoxyacrylate), such as, for example, segeline, or as described, for example, in WO2002053140.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of the formula I is administered in combination with antithrombotic active ingredients, such as, for example, clopidogrel.

It is to be understood that each suitable combination of the compounds according to the invention with one or more of the compounds mentioned above and optionally one or more further pharmacologically active substances is meant to be included in the scope of the present invention.

The formulae for some of the development codes mentioned above are given below.

The activity of the compounds was tested by a determination of EC50 values of PPAR agonists in the cellular PPARalpha assay. The potency of substances which bind to human PPARalpha and activate it in an agonistic manner is analyzed using a stably transfected HEK cell line (HEK=human embryo kidney) which is referred to here as PPARalpha reporter cell line. It contains two genetic elements, a luciferase reporter element (pdeltaM-GAL4-Luc-Zeo) and a PPARalpha fusion protein (GR-GAL4-humanPPARalpha-LBD) which mediates expression of the luciferase reporter element depending on a PPARalpha ligand. The stably and constitutively expressed fusion protein GR-GAL4-humanPPARalpha-LBD binds in the cell nucleus of the PPARalpha reporter cell line via the GAL4 protein portion to the GAL4 DNA binding motifs 5′-upstream of the luciferase reporter element which is stably integrated in the genome of the cell line. There is only weak expression of the luciferase reporter gene in the absence of a PPARalpha ligand if fatty acid-depleted fetal calf serum (cs-FCS) is used in the assay. PPARalpha ligands bind and activate the PPARalpha fusion protein and thereby stimulate the expression of the luciferase reporter gene. The luciferase which is formed can be detected by means of chemiluminescence via an appropriate substrate.

Construction of the PPARalpha Reporter Cell Line

The PPARalpha reporter cell line was prepared in two stages. Firstly, the luciferase reporter element was constructed and stably transfected into HEK cells. For this purpose, five binding sites of the yeast transcription factor GAL4 (Accession # AF264724) were cloned in 5′-upstream of a 68 bp-long minimal MMTV promoter (Accession #V01175). The minimal MMTV promoter section contains a CCMT box and a TATA element in order to enable efficient transcription by RNA polymerase II. The cloning and sequencing of the GAL4-MMTV construct took place in analogy to the description of Sambrook J. et. al. (Molecular cloning, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989). Then the complete Photinus pyralis gene (Accession #M15077) was cloned in 3′-downstream of the GAL4-MMTV element. After sequencing, the luciferase reporter element consisting of five GAL4 binding sites, MMTV promoter and luciferase gene was recloned into a plasmid which confers zeocin resistance in order to obtain the plasmid pdeltaM-GAL4-Luc-Zeo. This vector was transfected into HEK cells in accordance with the statements in Ausubel, F. M. et al. (Current protocols in molecular biology, Vol. 1-3, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1995). Then zeocin-containing medium (0.5 mg/ml) was used to select a suitable stable cell clone which showed very low basal expression of the luciferase gene.

In a second step, the PPARalpha fusion protein (GR-GAL4-humanPPARalpha-LBD was introduced into the stable cell clone described. For this purpose, initially the cDNA coding for the N-terminal 76 amino acids of the glucocorticoid receptor (Accession #P04150) was linked to the cDNA section coding for amino acids 1-147 of the yeast transcription factor GAL4 (Accession #P04386). The cDNA of the ligand-binding domain of the human PPARalpha receptor (amino acids S167-Y468; Accession #S74349) was cloned in at the 3′-end of this GR-GAL4 construct. The fusion construct prepared in this way (GR-GAL4-humanPPARalpha-LBD) was recloned into the plasmid pcDNA3 (Invitrogen) in order to enable constitutive expression therein by the cytomegalovirus promoter. This plasmid was linearized with a restriction endonuclease and stably transfected into the previously described cell clone containing the luciferase reporter element. The finished PPARalpha reporter cell line which contains a luciferase reporter element and constitutively expresses the PPARalpha fusion protein (GR-GAL4-human PPARalpha-LBD) was isolated by selection with zeocin (0.5 mg/ml) and G418 (0.5 mg/ml).

Assay procedure.—The activity of PPARalpha agonists is determined in a 3-day assay which is described below:

Day 1

The PPARalpha reporter cell line is cultivated to 80% confluence in DMEM (#41965-039, Invitrogen) which is mixed with the following additions: 10% cs-FCS (fetal calf serum; #SH-30068.03, Hyclone), 0.5 mg/ml zeocin (#R250-01, Invitrogen), 0.5 mg/ml G418 (#10131-027, Invitrogen), 1% penicillin-streptomycin solution (#15140-122, Invitrogen) and 2 mM L-glutamine (#25030-024, Invitrogen). The cultivation takes place in standard cell culture bottles (#353112, Becton Dickinson) in a cell culture incubator at 37° C. in the presence of 5% CO2. The 80%-confluent cells are washed once with 15 ml of PBS (#14190-094, Invitrogen), treated with 3 ml of trypsin solution (#25300-054, Invitrogen) at 37° C. for 2 min, taken up in 5 ml of the DMEM described and counted in a cell counter. After dilution to 500.000 cells/ml, 35,000 cells are seeded in each well of a 96 well microtiter plate with a clear plastic base (#3610, Corning Costar). The plates are incubated in the cell culture incubator at 37° C. and 5% CO2 for 24 h.

Day 2

PPARalpha agonists to be tested are dissolved in DMSO in a concentration of 10 mM. This stock solution is diluted in DMEM (#41965-039, Invitrogen) which is mixed with 5% cs-FCS (#SH-30068.03, Hyclone), 2 mM L-glutamine (#25030-024, Invitrogen) and the previously described antibiotics (zeocin, G418, penicillin and streptomycin). Test substances are tested in 11 different concentrations in the range from 10 μM to 100 μM. More potent compounds are tested in concentration ranges from 1 μM to 10 μM or between 100 nM and 1 μM.

The medium of the PPARalpha reporter cell line seeded on day 1 is completely removed by aspiration, and the test substances diluted in medium are immediately added to the cells. The dilution and addition of the substances is carried out by a robot (Beckman FX). The final volume of the test substances diluted in medium is 100 μl per well of a 96 well microtiter plate. The DMSO concentration in the assay is less than 0.1% v/v in order to avoid cytotoxic effects of the solvent.

Each plate was charged with a standard PPARalpha agonist, which was likewise diluted in 11 different concentrations, in order to demonstrate the functioning of the assay in each individual plate. The assay plates are incubated in an incubator at 37° C. and 5% CO2 for 24 h.

Day 3

The PPARalpha reporter cells treated with the test substances are removed from the incubator, and the medium is aspirated off. The cells are lyzed by pipetting 50 μl of Bright Glo reagent (from Promega) into each well of a 96 well microtiter plate. After incubation at room temperature in the dark for 10 minutes, the microtiter plates are measured in the luminometer (Trilux from Wallac). The measuring time for each well of a microtiter plate is 1 sec.

Evaluation

The raw data from the luminometer are transferred into a Microsoft Excel file. Dose-effect plots and EC50 values of PPAR agonists are calculated using the XL.Fit program as specified by the manufacturer (IDBS).

PPARalpha EC50 values in the range from 100 nM to >10 μM were measured for the PPAR agonists of Examples 1 to 19 described in this application. Compounds of the invention of the formula I activate the PPARalpha receptor.

Determination of EC50 values of PPAR agonists in the cellular PPARdelta assay

Principle

The potency of substances which bind to human PPARdelta and activate it in an agonistic manner is analyzed using a stably transfected HEK cell line (HEK=human embryo kidney) which is referred to here as PPARdelta reporter cell line. In analogy to the assay described for PPARalpha, the PPARdelta reporter cell line also contains two genetic elements, a luciferase reporter element (pdeltaM-GAL4-Luc-Zeo) and a PPARdelta fusion protein (GR-GAL4-humanPPARdelta-LBD) which mediates expression of the luciferase reporter element depending on a PPARdelta ligand. The stably and constitutively expressed fusion protein GR-GAL4-humanPPARdelta-LBD binds in the cell nucleus of the PPARdelta reporter cell line via the GAL4 protein portion to the GAL4 DNA binding motifs 5′-upstream of the luciferase reporter element which is stably integrated in the genome of the cell line. There is only little expression of the luciferase reporter gene in the absence of a PPARdelta ligand if fatty acid-depleted fetal calf serum (cs-FCS) is used in the assay. PPARdelta ligands bind and activate the PPARdelta fusion protein and thereby stimulate expression of the luciferase reporter gene. The luciferase which is formed can be detected by means of chemiluminescence via an appropriate substrate.

Construction of the PPARdelta Reporter Cell Line

The production of the stable PPARdelta reporter cell line is based on a stable HEK-cell clone which was stably transfected with a luciferase reporter element. This step was already described above in the section “construction of the PPARalpha reporter cell line”. In a second step, the PPARdelta fusion protein (GR-GAL4-humanPPARdelta-LBD was stably introduced into this cell clone. For this purpose, the cDNA coding for the N-terminal 76 amino acids of the glucocorticoid receptor (Accession #P04150) was linked to the cDNA section coding for amino acids 1-147 of the yeast transcription factor GAL4 (Accession #P04386). The cDNA of the ligand-binding domain of the human PPARdelta receptor (amino acids S139-Y441; Accession #L07592) was cloned in at the 3′-end of this GR-GAL4 construct. The fusion construct prepared in this way (GR-GAL4-humanPPARdelta-LBD) was recloned into the plasmid pcDNA3 (Invitrogen) in order to enable constitutive expression by the cytomegalovirus promoter. This plasmid was linearized with a restriction endonuclease and stably transfected into the previously described cell clone containing the luciferase reporter element. The resulting PPARdelta reporter cell line which contains a luciferase reporter element and constitutively expresses the PPARdelta fusion protein (GR-GAL4-human PPARdelta-LBD) was isolated by selection with zeocin (0.5 mg/ml) and G418 (0.5 mg/ml).

Assay Procedure and Evaluation

The activity of PPARdelta agonists is determined in a 3-day assay in exact analogy to the procedure already described for the PPARalpha reporter cell line except that the PPARdelta reporter cell line and a specific PPARdelta agonist was used as a standard to control test efficacy. PPARdelta EC50 values in the range from 200 nM to >10 μM were measured for the PPAR agonists of Examples 1 to 19 described in this application. Compounds of the invention of the formula I activate the PPARdelta receptor.

Determination of EC50 Values of PPAR Agonists in the Cellular PPARgamma Assay

A transient transfection system is employed to determine the cellular PPARgamma activity of PPAR agonists. It is based on the use of a luciferase reporter plasmid (pGL3basic-5xGAL4-TK) and of a PPARgamma expression plasmid (pcDNA3-GAL4-humanPPARgammaLBD). Both plasmids are transiently transfected into human embryonic kidney cells (HEK cells). There is then expression in these cells of the fusion protein GAL4-humanPPARgammaLBD which binds to the GAL4 binding sites of the reporter plasmid. In the presence of a PPARgamma-active ligand, the activated fusion protein GAL4-humanPPARgammaLBD induces expression of the luciferase reporter gene, which can be detected in the form of a chemiluminescence signal after addition of a luciferase substrate. As a difference from the stably transfected PPARalpha reporter cell line, in the cellular PPARgamma assay the two components (luciferase reporter plasmid and PPARgamma expression plasmid) are transiently transfected into HEK cells because stable and permanent expression of the PPARgamma fusion protein is cytotoxic.

Construction of the Plasmids

The luciferase reporter plasmid pGL3basic-5xGAL4-TK is based on the vector pGL3basic from Promega. The reporter plasmid is prepared by cloning five binding sites of the yeast transcription factor GAL4 (each binding site with the sequence 5′-CTCGGAGGACAGTACTCCG-3′), together with a 160 bp-long thymidine kinase promoter section (Genbank Accession #AF027128) 5′-upstream into pGL3basic. 3′-downstream of the thymidine kinase promoter is the complete luciferase gene from Photinus pyralis (Genbank Accession #M15077) which is already a constituent of the plasmid pGL3basic used. The cloning and sequencing of the reporter plasmid pGL3basic-5xGAL4-TK took place in analogy to the description in Sambrook J. et. al. (Molecular cloning, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989).

The PPARgamma expression plasmid pcDNA3-GAL4-humanPPARgammaLBD was prepared by first cloning the cDNA coding for amino acids 1-147 of the yeast transcription factor GAL4 (Genbank Accession #P04386) into the plasmid pcDNA3 (from Invitrogen) 3′-downstream of the cytomegalovirus promoter. Subsequently, the cDNA of the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of the human PPARgamma receptor (amino acids 1152-Y475; Accession #g1480099) 3′-downstream of the GAL4 DNA binding domain. Cloning and sequencing of the PPARgamma expression plasmid pcDNA3-GAL4-humanPPARgammaLBD again took place in analogy to the description in Sambrook J. et. al. (Molecular cloning, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989). Besides the luciferase reporter plasmid pGL3basic-5xGAL4-TK and the PPARgamma expression plasmid pcDNA3-GAL4-humanPPARgammaLBD, also used for the cellular PPARgamma assay are the reference plasmid pRL-CMV (from Promega) and the plasmid pBluescript SK(+) from Stratagene. All four plasmids were prepared using a plasmid preparation kit from Qiagen, which ensured a plasmid quality with a minimal endotoxin content, before transfection into HEK cells.

The activity of PPARgamma agonists was then determined in a 4-day assay which is described below. Before the transfection, HEK cells are cultivated in DMEM (#41965-039, Invitrogen) which is mixed with the following additions: 10% FCS (#16000-044, Invitrogen), 1% penicillin-streptomycin solution (#15140-122, Invitrogen) and 2 mM L-glutamine (#25030-024, Invitrogen).

Day 1

Firstly, solution A, a transfection mixture which contains all four plasmids previously described in addition to DMEM, is prepared. The following amounts are used to make up 3 ml of solution A for each 96 well microtiter plate for an assay: 2622 μl of antibiotic- and serum-free DMEM (#41965-039, Invitrogen), 100 μl of reference plasmid pRL-CMV (1 ng/μl), 100 μl of luciferase reporter plasmid pGL3basic-5xGAL4-TK (10 ng/μl), 100 μl of PPARgamma expression plasmid pcDNA3-GAL4-humanPPARgammaLBD (100 ng/μl) and 78 μl of plasmid pBluescript SK(+) (500 ng/μl). Then 2 ml of solution B are prepared by mixing 1.9 ml of DMEM (#41965-039, Invitrogen) with 100 μl of PolyFect transfection reagent (from Qiagen) for each 96 well microtiter plate. Subsequently, 3 ml of solution A are mixed with 2 ml of solution B to give 5 ml of solution C, which is thoroughly mixed by multiple pipetting and incubated at room temperature for 10 min.

80%-confluent HEK cells from a cell culture bottle with a capacity of 175 cm2 are washed once with 15 ml of PBS (#14190-094, Invitrogen) and treated with 3 ml of trypsin solution (#25300-054, Invitrogen) at 37° C. for 2 min. The cells are then taken up in 15 ml of DMEM (#41965-039, Invitrogen) which is mixed with 10% FCS (#16000-044, Invitrogen), 1% penicillin-streptomycin solution (#15140-122, Invitrogen) and 2 mM L-glutamine (#25030-024, Invitrogen). After the cell suspension has been counted in a cell counter, the suspension is diluted to 250,000 cells/ml. 15 ml of this cell suspension are mixed with 5 ml of solution C for one microtiter plate. 200 μl of the suspension are seeded in each well of a 96 well microtiter plate with a clear plastic base (#3610, Corning Costar). The plates are incubated in a cell culture incubator at 37° C. and 5% CO2 for 24 h.

Day 2

PPAR agonists to be tested are dissolved in DMSO in a concentration of 10 mM. This stock solution is diluted in DMEM (#41965-039, Invitrogen) which is mixed with 2% Ultroser (#12039-012, Biosepra), 1% penicillin-streptomycin solution (#15140-122, Invitrogen) and 2 mM L-glutamine (#25030-024, Invitrogen). Test substances are tested in a total of 11 different concentrations in the range from 10 μM to 100 μM. More potent compounds are tested in concentration ranges from 1 μM to 10 μM.

The medium of the HEK cells transfected and seeded on day 1 is completely removed by aspiration, and the test substances diluted in medium are immediately added to the cells. The dilution and addition of the substances is carried out by a robot (Beckman FX). The final volume of the test substances diluted in medium is 100 μl per well of a 96 well microtiter plate. Each plate is charged with a standard PPARgamma agonist, which is likewise diluted in 11 different concentrations, in order to demonstrate the functioning of the assay in each individual plate. The assay plates are incubated in an incubator at 37° C. and 5% CO2.

Day 4

After removal of the medium by aspiration, 50 μl of Dual-Glo™ reagent (Dual-Glo™ Luciferase Assay System; Promega) are added to each well in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in order to lyze the cells and provide the substrate for the firefly luciferase (Photinus pyralis) formed in the cells. After incubation at room temperature in the dark for 10 minutes, the firefly luciferase-mediated chemiluminescence is measured in a measuring instrument (measuring time/well 1 sec; Trilux from Wallac). Then 50 μl of the Dual-Glo™ Stop & Glo reagent (Dual-Glo™ Luciferase Assay System; Promega) is added to each well in order to stop the activity of the firefly luciferase and provide the substrate for the Renilla luciferase expressed by the reference plasmid pRL-CMV. After incubation at room temperature in the dark for a further 10 minutes, a chemiluminescence mediated by the Renilla luciferase is again measured for 1 sec/well in the measuring instrument.

Evaluation

The crude data from the luminometer are transferred into a Microsoft Excel file. The firefly/Renilla luciferase activity ratio is determined for each measurement derived from one well of the microtiter plate. The dose-effect plots and EC50 values of PPAR agonists are calculated from the ratios by the XL.Fit program as specified by the manufacturer (IDBS).

PPARgamma EC50 values in the range from 1 nM to >10 μM were measured for the PPAR agonists of Examples 1 to 19 described in this application. Compounds of the invention of the formula I activate the PPARgamma receptor.

It is to be understood that each suitable combination of the compounds according to formula I of the present invention with one or more of the additional active pharmaceutical compounds mentioned above and non-active ingredients is deemed as falling within the scope of the present invention. The following examples are hereby presented in order to more fully describe and explicitly detail the manner in which one skilled in the art might better practice and prepare the compounds and follow the practices of the present invention. It is to be understood however, that they are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth and recited in the claims that follow.

where R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7=H and p=1, and a dotted line means the point of attachment. On ring B the dotted line means the point of attachment via z to ring A. On ring A the left dotted line means the point of attachment via z to ring B and the right dotted line means the point of attachment to —[C(R6R7)]m-.

TABLE I Example R1 q m B A Z R8 R9 1 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

bond 4-CH3 4-CF3 2 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

bond 4-CH3 3-CF3 3 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

absent H 6-OCH3 4 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

O H 4-CF3 5 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

O H 2-OCH3 6 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

bond 4-(CH2)3CH3 4-CF3 7 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

O 5-CH3 4-OPh 8 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

bond H H 9 —CH(CH3)2 0 0

bond — 4-OCH3 10 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

O 5-CH3 4-OCH3 11 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

O 5-CH3 4-Ph 12 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

absent H 5-OCH3 13 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

bond 5-H 4-OCH3 14 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

bond 5-CH2CH3 3-CF3 15 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

bond 5-CH3 4-OCF3 16 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

bond 5-CH(CH3)2 4-CF3 17 —CH(CH3)2 1 0

bond 5-CH2CH3 2-CF3 18 —CF3 1 1

bond 5-CH3 4-CF3 19 —CH(CH3)2 1 1

bond 5-CH3 4-CF3

The potency of some of the described examples are indicated in the following table:

PPARdelta PPARgamma PPARalpha Example EC50 (μM) EC50 (μM) EC50 (μM] 1 0.37 0.05 2.90 3 0.48 0.46 4.57 4 1.13 0.46 0.54 9 0.26 0.05 1.42 12 0.48 n.d. n.d. 13 0.65 1.97 1.20 14 0.67 0.001 0.19

Processes

The compounds of the general formula I according to the invention can be obtained as outlined to the reaction schemes below:

Process A

This process is used for synthesizing compounds of general formula A-8, where A, B, m, p, q, R1, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are as defined.

A sodium salt of a sulfonic acid of general formula A-1 where R2 and R3 are as defined is treated with thionyl chloride in a polar aprotic solvent dimethylformamide under reflux to obtain a benzenesulfonyl chloride of general formula A-3. Alternatively an acetic acid phenyl ester of general formula A-2, where R2 and R3 are as defined is treated with chlorosulfonic acid to obtain the benzenesulfonyl chloride of general formula A-3. The benzenesulfonyl chloride of general formula A-3 is coupled with the [1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylamine of general formula A-4, where R1 is as defined in pyridine with a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethylaminopyridine to obtain the benzenesulfonyl amide of general formula A-5. The hydrogen atom of the sulfonamide moiety of the compound of general formula A-5 is protected, e.g. by a 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy-methyl protecting group (SEM), by treatment with 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy-methyl chloride in the presence of a base as N,N-diisopropylethylamine and catalytic amount of 4-dimethylaminopyridine in a nonpolar solvent, such as dichloromethane to obtain a compound of general formula A-5. Upon treatment with sodium carbonate in a polar solvent as methanol the O-acetyl group is removed to obtain the phenol of general formula A-6.

The phenol of general formula A-6 is either coupled with a halide or mesylate or tosylate of general formula BB, where FG=OMs, OTs or halide and A, B, Z, m, p, q, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are as defined in the presence of a base as cesium carbonate in a solvent as dimethylformamide or with an alcohol of general formula ABB where FG=OH and A, B, Z, m, p, q, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are as defined under Mitsunobu reaction conditions (triphenylphosphine, diethylazodicarboxylate for instance) in a solvent as dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran to obtain a compound of general formula A-7. The protecting group of the compound of general formula A-7 is the removed upon treatment with tetra-N-butylammoniumfluoride in a polar solvent as tetrahydrofuran to obtain a compound of general formula A-8.

Examples 1-12 were obtained according to process A.

Other compounds can be obtained accordingly.

Process B:

This process is used for synthesizing compounds of general formula B-5, where A, B, m, p, q, R1, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are as defined.

A phenol of general formula B-1 where R2 and R3 are as defined is either coupled with a halide or mesylate or tosylate of general formula BB, where FG is a halide, mesylate or tosylate and A, B, Z, m, p, q, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are as defined in the presence of a base as cesium carbonate or sodium hydride in a polar aprotic solvent as dimethylformamide or with an alcohol of general formula BB where FG=OH and A, B, Z, m, p, q, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are as defined under Mitsunobu reaction conditions (triphenylphosphine, diethylazodicarboxylate for instance) in a solvent as dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran to obtain a compound of general formula B-2. The compound of general formula B-2 is treated with chlorosulfonic acid in an apolar solvent as dichloromethane to obtain the benzenesulfonyl chloride of general formula B-3. The benzenesulfonyl chloride of general formula B-3 is coupled with the [1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylamine of general formula B-4, where R1 is as defined, in pyridine with a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethylaminopyridine to obtain the sulfonyl amide of general formula B-5.

Examples 13-19 were obtained according to process B.

Other compounds can be obtained accordingly.

Process BB:

This process is used for synthesizing building blocks of general formula BB-2, where R4 and R5 are H and R6, R7, A, B, m, p, q, Z, R8 and R9 are as defined and BB-3 where R4 and R5 are H, FG is a halide, mesylate or tosylate and R6, R7, A, B, m, p, q, Z, R8 and R9 are as defined.

A carboxylic ester or acid of general formula BB-1 where R6, R7, R8, R9, A, Z, m, p, q, and B are as defined is reduced with a reducing agent as lithium aluminum hydride in a polar solvent as tetrahydrofuran to obtain an alcohol of general formula BB-2. The hydroxyl group of the compound of general formula BB-2 is transformed to a leaving group (LG) as for example a chloride, tosylate or mesylate, by methods known in the state of the art. Other compounds can be obtained accordingly.

LIST OF ABBREVIATION

Ac acetyl AIBN 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) Bn benzyl BOC tert-butyl-oxy-carbonyl iBu isobutyl tBu tert-Butyl BuLi n-butyllithium Bz benzoyl Cy cyclohexyl DBU 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene DCI direct chemical ionization (MS) DCM dichloromethane DEAD diethyidiazodicarboxylate DMAP N,N-dimethylaminopyridine DMF N,N-dimethylformamide DMSO dimethylsulfoxide EE ethyl acetate eq equivalents ESI electronspray-Ionisation (MS) FG leaving group GC gas chromatography Hal halogen HPLC high performance liquid chromatography LC-MS liquid chromatography coupled with mass-spectroscopy LG Leaving group Me methyl MeCN acetonitrile MS mass-spectroscopy MS 4A molecular sieves four angström MsCl methanesulfonylchloride MW micro wave NBS N-bromosuccinimide NMR nuclear magnetic resonance p para Pd/C palladium on carbon iPr isopropyl nPr n-propyl Rf retention factor (TLC) TBAF tetra-N-butylammoniumfluoride tert tertiary TFA trifluoroacetic acid THF tetrahydrofuran TLC thin layer chromatography TOTU O-((Ethoxycarbonyl)cyanomethyleneamino)-N,N,N′,N′- tetramethyltetrafluoroborate

Additional compounds of formula I can be prepared accordingly.

The experimental procedures for preparing the examples mentioned above are described below:

Building Block synthesis according to process BB:

[4-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-phenyl]-methanol

To a solution of 2.0 g commercially available 4-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-benzoic acid in 180 ml tetrahydrofuran 269 mg lithium aluminum hydride were added at −20° C. portionwise. The reaction temperature was maintained between −5° C. and −20° C. After completion of the addition the cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for two hours. Then the reaction mixture was cooled again to −40° C. and 3 ml water were added. The cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for four hours. Then the reaction mixture was dried over MgSO4. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with the eluents n-heptane:ethyl acetate=9:1=>2:1 to obtain 600 mg [4-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-phenyl]-methanol.

C14H11F3O2 (268.24), Rf(n-heptane:ethyl acetate=1:1)=0.41.

1-Chloromethyl-4-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-benzene

5.37 g 1H-Benzotriazole were dissolved in 10.9 ml thionyl chloride. The solution was diluted with dichloromethane to a total volume of 100 ml to obtain a 1.5 M solution of thionylchloride and 1H-Benzotriazole. 600 mg [4-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-phenyl]-methanol were dissolved in 50 ml dichloromethane. 1.86 ml of the above 1.5 M solution of thionylchloride and 1H-Benzotriazole were added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for three hours. The precipitate was filtered off through a pad of Na2SO4. The filtrate was evaporated in vacuo and the residue purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with the eluents n-heptane:ethyl acetate=1:2=>1:1 to obtain 613 mg 1-Chloromethyl-4-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-benzene.

C14H10ClF3O (286.68), Rf(n-heptane:ethyl acetate=2:1)=0.67.

1-Chloromethyl-4-(2-methoxy-Phenoxy)-benzene

According to the method described for 1-Chloromethyl-4-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-benzene 1-Chloromethyl-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzene was obtained from commercially available 4-(2-methoxyphenoxy)benzoic acid.

C14H13ClO2 (248.71), Rf(n-heptane:ethyl acetate=2:1)=0.54.

3-Chloromethyl-6-methoxy-benzofuran

According to the method described for 1-Chloromethyl-4-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-benzene 3-Chloromethyl-6-methoxy-benzofuran was obtained from commercially available 6-methoxy-benzofuran-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester.

C10H9ClO2 (196.64), Rf(n-heptane:ethyl acetate=2:1)=0.59.

2-Chloromethyl-5-methoxy-benzofuran

According to the method described for 1-Chloromethyl-4-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-benzene 2-Chloromethyl-5-methoxy-benzofuran was obtained from commercially available 5-methoxy-benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid.

C10H9ClO2 (196.64), Rf(n-heptane:ethyl acetate=1:1)=0.74.

5-Chloromethyl-4-methyl-2-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazole

According to the method described for 1-Chloromethyl-4-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-benzene 5-Chloromethyl-4-methyl-2-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazole was obtained from commercially available 4-Methyl-2-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazole-5-carboxylic acid.

C12H9ClF3NS (291.72), Rf(n-heptane:ethyl acetate=2:1)=0.52.

5-Chloromethyl-4-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazole

According to the method described for 1-Chloromethyl-4-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-benzene 5-Chloromethyl-4-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazole was obtained from commercially available 4-Methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazole-5-carboxylic acid.

C12H9ClF3NS (291.72), MS (ESI): 292.0 (M+H+), Rf(n-heptane:ethyl acetate=2:1)=0.54.

The following examples were prepared according to process A:

EXAMPLE 1 N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide

4-Acetoxy-benzenesulfonic acid sodium salt

50.0 g p-Phenolsulfonic acid sodium salt mono hydrate were suspended in 180 ml triethylamine. To this stirred suspension 72.3 ml acetic acid anhydride were added. The reaction temperature was maintained below 60° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was coevaporated with 600 ml toluene twice. The residue was suspended in 600 ml ethyl acetate and stirred at 80° C. The precipitate was filtered off warm und washed with ethyl acetate then dried in vacuo to obtain 42.9 g 4-Acetoxy-benzenesulfonic acid sodium salt as a white solid.

C8H7O5S.Na (238.20).

Acetic acid 4-chlorosulfonyl-phenyl ester

42.9 g 4-Acetoxy-benzenesulfonic acid sodium salt were suspended in 135 ml thionyl chloride. Then 0.5 ml dimethylformamide were added. The reaction mixture was heated under reflux for one hour. The cooled reaction mixture was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was coevaporated with 600 ml toluene twice. The residue was suspended in 500 ml dichloromethane and stirred at room temperature for thirty minutes. The suspension was filtered and the filtrate reduced in vacuo to one fifth of its volume. To this stirred solution 400 ml n-heptane were added dropwise and acetic acid 4-chlorosulfonyl-phenyl ester precipitated as a white solid. The precipitate was filtered off and dried in vacuo to obtain 40.4 g acetic acid 4-chlorosulfonyl-phenyl ester.

C8H7ClO4S (234.66).

Acetic acid 4-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylsulfamoyl)-phenyl ester

4.1 g acetic acid 4-chlorosulfonyl-phenyl ester were added to a stirred solution of 2.5 g 5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylamine in 35 ml pyridine. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The pyridine was removed in vacuo and the residue dissolved in 200 ml dichloromethane and washed with 60 ml water. The organic layer was dried over MgSO4. Then the solvent was removed in vacuo and the resulting residue purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with the eluents n-heptane:ethyl acetate=1:1=>1:3 to obtain 4.47 g Acetic acid 4-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylsulfamoyl)-phenyl ester impurified with 40% of the byproduct N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-acetamide. The material was used without further purification.

C13H15N3O4S2 (341.41), MS (ESI): 342.1 (M+H+).

Acetic acid 4-[(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-sulfamoyl]-phenyl ester

3.3 g Acetic acid 4-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylsulfamoyl)-phenyl ester were dissolved in 12 ml dichloromethane. 2.69 ml N,N-diisopropylethylamine, 78 mg 4-dimethylaminopyridine and 2.1 g 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl chloride were added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for one hour. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with the eluents n-heptane:ethyl acetate=1:1=>1:3 to obtain 2.7 g acetic acid 4-[(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-sulfamoyl]-phenyl ester.

C19H29N3O5S2Si (471.67), MS (ESI): 472.2 (M+H+), Rf(n-heptane:ethyl acetate=1:1)=0.47.

4-Hydroxy-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide

2.7 g of 4-[(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-sulfamoyl]-phenyl ester were dissolved in 135 ml methanol. 637 mg sodium carbonate, dissolved in 3 ml water were added and the reaction mixture stirred at room temperature for fifteen minutes. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue dissolved in 100 ml ethyl acetate and washed with 100 ml water. The aqueous phase was extracted with 80 ml ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO4. The solvent was removed in vacuo to obtain 2.4 g 4-Hydroxy-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide.

C17H27N3O4S2Si (429.64), Rf(n-heptane:ethyl acetate=1:1)=0.37.

N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy]-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide

360 mg of 4-Hydroxy-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-N-(2-trimethylsilanylethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide were dissolved in 2 ml dimethylformamide. 527 mg cesium carbonate and a solution of 236 mg in 2 ml dimethylformamide were added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for two hours. Then the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with the eluents n-heptane:ethyl acetate=4:1=>1:1 to obtain 180 mg N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy]-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide.

C29H35F3N4O4S3Si (684.90), MS (ESI): 685.2 (M+H+), Rf(n-heptane:ethyl acetate=1:1)=0.48.

N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide

160 mg of N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy]-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide were dissolved in 3.8 ml tetrahydrofuran. 977 mg tetra-N-butylammoniumfluoride were added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for two hours and at 40° C. for twenty minutes. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue purified by RP-HPLC to obtain 32 mg N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide as amorphous solid.

C23H21F3N4O3S3 (554.64), MS (ESI): 555.0 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 2 N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-methyl-2-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 1N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-methyl-2-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from 4-Hydroxy-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide and 5-Chloromethyl-4-methyl-2-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazole.

C23H21F3N4O3S3 (554.64), MS (ESI): 555.1 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 3 N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-(6-methoxy-benzofuran-3-ylmethoxy)-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 1N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-(6-methoxy-benzofuran-3-ylmethoxy)-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from 4-Hydroxy-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide and 3-Chloromethyl-6-methoxy-benzofuran.

C21H21N3O5S2 (459.55), MS (ESI): 460.2 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 4 N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-benzyloxy]-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 1N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-benzyloxy]-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from 4-Hydroxy-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide and 1-Chloromethyl-4-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-benzene.

C25H22F3N3O4S2 (549.59), MS (ESI): 550.2 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 5 N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzyloxy]-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 1N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzyloxy]-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from 4-Hydroxy-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide and 1-Chloromethyl-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzene.

C25H25N3O5S2 (511.62), MS (ESI): 512.2 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 6 4-[4-Butyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy]-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 14-[4-Butyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy]-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from 4-Hydroxy-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide and 4-Butyl-5-chloromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazole¹. ¹ EP04007879

C26H27F3N4O3S3 (596.72), MS (ESI): 597.2 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 7 N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[5-methyl-2-(4-phenoxy-Phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 1N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[5-methyl-2-(4-phenoxy-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from 4-Hydroxy-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide and 4-Iodomethyl-5-methyl-2-(4-phenoxy-phenyl)-oxazole². ² WO 2004075815

C28H26N4O5S2 (562.67), MS (ESI): 563.2 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 8 4-(2-Cyclohexyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 1 4-(2-Cyclohexyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from 4-Hydroxy-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide and 2-Cyclohexyl-4-iodomethyl-oxazole³. ³ WO 2004075815

C21H26N4O4S2 (462.59), MS (ESI): 463.1 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 9 N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[5-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 1N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[5-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from 4-Hydroxy-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide and commercially available 3-Chloromethyl-5-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-[1,2,4]oxadiazole.

C21H21N5O5S2 (487.56), MS (ESI): 488.2 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 10 N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-5-methyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 1N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-5-methyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from 4-Hydroxy-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide and 4-Iodomethyl-2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-5-methyl-oxazole⁴. ⁴ WO 2004076428, WO 2004076427, WO 2004076426, US 2004122069, WO 2003020269

C23H24N4O5S2 (500.60), MS (ESI): 501.1 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 11 4-(2-Biphenyl-4-yl-5-methyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 1 4-(2-Biphenyl-4-yl-5-methyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from 4-Hydroxy-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide and 2-Biphenyl-4-yl-4-iodomethyl-5-methyl-oxazole⁵. ⁵ WO 2004076428, WO 2004076427

C28H26N4O4S2 (546.67), MS (ESI): 547.2 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 12 N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-(5-methoxy-benzofuran-2-ylmethoxy)-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 1N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-(5-methoxy-benzofuran-2-ylmethoxy)-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from 4-Hydroxy-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-N-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl)-benzenesulfonamide and 2-Chloromethyl-5-methoxy-benzofuran.

C21H21N3O5S2 (459.55), MS (ESI): 460.1 (M+H+).

The following examples were prepared according to process B:

EXAMPLE 13 N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide

2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-4-phenoxymethyl-oxazole

373 mg phenol were dissolved in 10 ml tetrahydrofuran. 92 mg sodium hydride were added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for twenty minutes 1.0 g 4-Iodomethyl-2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-oxazole⁶ were added at −10° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for six hours. The reaction mixture was poured on 100 ml water and extracted twice with portions of 120 ml dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO4. The solvent was then removed in vacuo to obtain 950 mg 2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-4-phenoxymethyl-oxazole. ⁶ US 2004122069, WO 2003020269

C17H15NO3 (281.31), MS (ESI): 282.2 (M+H+).

4-[2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonyl chloride

950 mg 2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-4-phenoxymethyl-oxazole were dissolved in 9 ml dichloromethane. At −20° C. 0.90 ml chlorosulfonic acid were added dropwise. The cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture stirred at room temperature for two hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C., then 20 ml ice water were added and the reaction mixture extracted five times with portions of 50 ml dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were washed with water and then dried over MgSO4. The solvent was then removed in vacuo to obtain 580 mg 4-[2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonyl chloride.

C17H14ClNO5S (379.82), MS (ESI): 380.1 (M+H+).

N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide

580 mg 4-[2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonyl chloride were added to a stirred solution of 275 mg 5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylamine in 35 ml pyridine. 18 mg 4-Dimethylaminopyridine were added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The pyridine was removed in vacuo and the residue coevaporated with 15 ml toluene. The residue was purified by RP-HPLC to obtain 19 mg N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide.

C22H22N4O5S2 (486.57), MS (ESI): 487.1 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 14 4-[5-Ethyl-2-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 134-[5-Ethyl-2-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from phenol, 5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylamine and 5-Ethyl-4-iodomethyl-2-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazole⁷. ⁷ WO 2004076427, WO 2004076426

C24H23F3N4O4S2 (552.60), MS (ESI): 553.2 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 15 N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 13 N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from phenol, 5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylamine and 4-Iodomethyl-5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-oxazole⁸. ⁸ WO 2004076428

C23H21F3N4O5S2 (554.57), MS (ESI): 555.1 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 16 N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[5-isopropyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 13 N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-[5-isopropyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from phenol, 5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylamine and 4-Iodomethyl-5-isopropyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazole⁹. ⁹ WO 2004076426

C25H25F3N4O4S2 (566.63), MS (ESI): 567.2 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 17 4-[5-Ethyl-2-(2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 134-[5-Ethyl-2-(2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-N-(5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from phenol, 5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylamine and 5-Ethyl-4-iodomethyl-2-(2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazole ¹⁰. ¹⁰ WO 2004076447, WO 2004076428

C24H23F3N4O4S2 (552.60), MS (ESI): 553.1 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 18 4-{2-[5-Methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-4-yl]-ethoxy}-N-(5-trifluoromethyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide

5-Methyl-4-(2-phenoxy-ethyl)-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazole

400 mg 2-[5-Methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-4-yl]-ethanol¹¹, 164 mg phenol and 438 mg triphenylphosphine were dissolved in 10 ml dichloromethane. To this ice cooled reaction mixture 291 mg diethyldiazodicarboxylate were added. The cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture stirred at room temperature for one hour. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue purified by chromatography on silica gel with the eluents n-heptane:ethyl acetate=9:1 to obtain 306 mg 5-Methyl-4-(2-phenoxy-ethyl)-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazole. ¹¹ WO 2005051945, WO 2003059895, WO 2002100403, WO 2002092084, WO 2000008002, WO 9203425

C19H16F3NOS (363.40), MS (ESI): 364.1 (M+H+), Rf(n-heptane:ethyl acetate=2:1)=0.52.

4-{2-[5-Methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-4-yl]-ethoxy}-N-(5-trifluoromethyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 134-{2-[5-Methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-thiazol-4-yl]-ethoxy}-N-(5-trifluoromethyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from 5-Methyl-4-(2-phenoxy-ethyl)-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazole and 5-trifluoromethyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylamine.

C22H16F6N4O3S3 (594.58), MS (ESI): 595.0 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 19 N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-{2-[5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazol-4-yl]-ethoxy}-benzenesulfonamide

According to the method described in example 13 and 18 N-(5-Isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-{2-[5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazol-4-yl]-ethoxy}-benzenesulfonamide was obtained from phenol, 5-isopropyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylamine and 2-[5-Methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazol-4-yl]-ethanol¹². ¹² WO 2005051945, WO 2003059895, WO 2002100403, WO 2002092084, WO 2000008002, WO 9203425

C24H23F3N4O4S2 (552.60), MS (ESI): 553.1 (M+H+). 

1. A compound of formula I:

wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of (C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C6) alkylene-(C3-C6) cycloalkyl, (C0-C6) alkylene-O—(C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C6) alkylene-O—(C3-C6) cycloalkyl, (C0-C6) alkylene-(C6-C14) aryl, and (C0-C6) alkylene-(C5-C15) heteroaryl, wherein alkyl, alkylene, aryl and cycloalkyl are unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted by F, Cl, Br, (C1-C6) alkyl, O—(C1-C6) alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃, CN, CO—(C1-C6) alkyl, COO—(C1-C6) alkyl, CON((C0-C6) alkylene-H) (C0-C6) alkylene-H), and S(O)_(m)(C1-C6) alkyl; R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, (C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-H, SCH3 and CN, wherein alkyl and alkylene is unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by F; R4, R5, R6 and R7 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, (C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-(C3-C6) cycloalkyl, (C0-C6) alkylene-(C6-C14) aryl, (C0-C6) alkylene-(C5-C15) heteroaryl, (C0-C6) alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycloalkyl and (C0-C6) alkylene-(C3-C15) heterocycloalkenyl, wherein alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl and heteroaryl are unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by F, Cl, Br, CF3, (C1-C4) alkyl and (C0-C4)-alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-H; m is 0 or 1; A is (C6-C14) aryl or (C5-C15) heteroaryl; B is selected from the group consisting of (C6-C14) aryl, (C3-C12) cycloalkyl, and (C5-C15) heteroaryl; Z is a bond, O or Ring A and Ring B together form an annealed (C5-C15) heterocyclic or (C8-C14) aromatic ring system; and Z is absent; R8 and R9 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, (C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-H, SCF3, SF5, S(O)2CF3, O—(C6-C14) aryl, (C6-C14) aryl, and NO2, wherein alkyl and alkylene is unsubstituted or mono, bi- or tri-substituted by F and wherein aryl is unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted by F, Cl, Br, CF3, (C1-C4) alkyl and (C0-C4)-alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-H; p is 0, 1, 2 or 3; q is 0, 1 or 2; its' stereoisomers, enantiomers, tautomers their salts and mixtures thereof.
 2. The compounds of the formula I as recited in claim 1, wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of (C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C6) alkylene-O—(C1-C6) alkyl and (C0-C6) alkylene-(C6-C14) aryl, wherein alkyl, alkylene and aryl are unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by F; R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, (C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-H, wherein alkyl and alkylene is unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by F; 0ne of R4, R5, R6 and R7 is selected from the group consisting of H, (C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C2) alkylene-(C3-C6) cycloalkyl, (C0-C2) alkylene-(C6-C10) aryl, (C0-C2) alkylene-(C5-C10) heteroaryl, (C0-C2) alkylene-(C3-C10) heterocycloalkyl, and (C0-C2) alkylene-(C3-C10) heterocycloalkenyl, wherein alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl and heteroaryl are unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by F, Cl, CF3, (C1-C4) alkyl and (C0-C4)-alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-H; and the other three of the substituents is H m is 0 or 1; A is (C6-C10) aryl, (C5-C10) heteroaryl; B is selected from the group consisting of (C6-C10) aryl, (C6-C8) cycloalkyl, (C5-C10) heteroaryl; Z is a bond or O; A and B together form an annealed (C8-C10) heterocyclic ring and Z is absent; R8 is H or (C1-C6) alkyl; R9 is H, (C1-C6) alkyl, (C0-C4) alkylene-O—(C0-C4) alkylene-H, O—(C6-C10) aryl, wherein alkyl and alkylene is unsubstituted or mono, bi- or trisubstituted by F; p is 0, 1, 2; q is 0,
 1. 3. The compound of formula I as claimed in claim 1, wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of (C1-C6) alkyl, phenyl, and (C3-C6) cycloalkyl.
 4. The compounds of formula I as recited in claim 2, wherein R1 is isopropyl.
 5. The compounds of formula I as recited in claim 4, wherein R2 and, R3 are H.
 6. The compounds of formula I as recited in claim 5, wherein R4, R5, R6 and R7 are H.
 7. The compounds of formula I as recited in claim 6, wherein m is
 0. 8. The compounds of formula I as recited in claim 7, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of oxazole, thiazole, phenyl and, 1,2,4-oxadiazole.
 9. The compounds of formula I as recited in claim 8 wherein B is phenyl or cyclohexyl.
 10. The compounds of formula I as recited in claim 9, wherein z is a bond.
 11. The compounds of formula I as recited in claim 9, wherein A and B together form a benzofuran ring and z is absent.
 12. The compounds of the formula I as recited in claim 10, wherein R8 is H, (C1-C4) alkyl and p is 0 or
 1. 13. The compounds of the formula I as recited in claim 11, wherein R9 is H, CF3, O—(C1-C4) alkyl, phenoxy and q is
 1. 14. A pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more compounds of the formula I as recited in claim
 1. 15. A pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more compounds of the formula I as recited in claim 1 formulated in combination with one or more additional active pharmaceutical compounds that are effective in the treatment of metabolic disturbances and the physiological disorders associated therewith.
 16. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 15 wherein said one or more additional active pharmaceutical compounds are anti-diabetic compounds effective in the treatment of diabetes.
 17. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 15 wherein said one or more additional active pharmaceutical compounds are lipid modulator compounds effective in the treatment and control blood lipid levels.
 18. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 15 wherein said one or more additional active pharmaceutical compounds are effective in the treatment of metabolic syndrome and the physical manifestations thereof diabetes.
 19. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 15 wherein said one or more additional active pharmaceutical compounds are anti-diabetic compounds effective in the treatment of diabetes.
 20. A method for the treatment of disorders of fatty acid metabolism and glucose utilization disorders comprising the administration of one or more of the compounds of formula I as recited in claim 1 to a patient in need thereof.
 21. A method for the treatment of disorders in which insulin resistance is involved comprising the administration of one or more of the compounds of formula I as recited in claim 1 to a patient in need thereof.
 22. A method for the treatment of diabetes and the physical manifestations thereof comprising the administration of one or more of the compounds of formula I as recited in claim 1 to a patient in need thereof.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein said diabetes is type-2 diabetes or diabetes mellitus and the physical manifestations thereof.
 24. A method for the treatment of dyslipidemias and the physical manifestations thereof comprising the administration of one or more of the compounds of formula I as recited in claim 1 to a patient in need thereof.
 25. A method for the treatment of conditions which are associated with the metabolic syndrome and the physical manifestations thereof comprising the administration of one or more of the compounds of formula I as recited in claim 1 to a patient in need thereof.
 26. A method for the treatment of disorders of fatty acid metabolism and glucose utilization disorders and the physical manifestations thereof comprising the administration of one or more of the compounds of formula I as recited in claim 1 in combination with one or more secondary active pharmaceutical compounds to a patient in need thereof.
 27. A method for the treatment of disorders in which insulin resistance is involved and the physical manifestations thereof comprising the administration of one or more of the compounds of formula I as recited in claim 1 in combination with one or more secondary active pharmaceutical compounds to a patient in need thereof.
 28. A method for the treatment of disorders of fatty acid metabolism and glucose utilization disorders and the physical manifestations thereof comprising the administration of one or more of the compounds of formula I as recited in claim 1 in combination with one or more secondary active pharmaceutical compounds to a patient in need thereof.
 29. A method for the treatment of diabetes and the physical manifestations thereof comprising the administration of one or more of the compounds of formula I as recited in claim 1 in combination with one or more secondary active pharmaceutical compounds to a patient in need thereof.
 30. A method for the treatment of conditions which are associated with the metabolic syndrome and the physical manifestations thereof comprising the administration of one or more of the compounds of formula I as recited in claim 1 in combination with one or more secondary active pharmaceutical compounds to a patient in need thereof.
 31. A method for the treatment of dyslipidemias and the physical manifestations thereof comprising the administration of one or more of the compounds of formula I as recited in claim 1 in combination with one or more secondary active pharmaceutical compounds to a patient in need thereof.
 32. A process for preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more of the compounds as claimed in claim 1, which comprises mixing the active compound with a pharmaceutically suitable carrier and bringing this mixture into a form suitable for administration. 